Roma prevents Dybala from saying goodbye to Messi

AS Roma has put an end to the controversy surrounding the decision not to allow Argentinians Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina to travel to Buenos Aires for the upcoming tribute to Argentinian national team captain Lionel Messi, confirming that the decision was based on sporting and logistical considerations. The club explained in an official statement that the players had requested permission to travel to Argentina and attend the match against Benin scheduled for October 6th, but the coaching and administrative staff rejected the request, resulting in the duo's absence from the event. Roma emphasized that its decision was not related to any stance towards Messi or the Argentinian Football Association, stressing its appreciation for the Argentinian captain's career and wishing him and his national team a celebration befitting his contributions throughout his international career. The club noted that the strong relationship between Dybala and Molina and Messi was valued, especially since the two players played alongside him in Argentina's 2022 World Cup victory, which made their desire to attend the tribute understandable to the club. However, Roma felt that current circumstances did not permit the players to travel, given the long journey between Italy and Argentina and the short time between the club's upcoming fixtures. This led the management to prefer that they remain with the team. Roma is scheduled to play Como on October 11th, before facing a tough challenge against Real Madrid in the Champions League, which made the coaching staff keen to keep their players available during the preparation period for these important matches. Dybala had hoped to attend the match from the stands, especially since he was not included in the Argentine national team squad, while Molina will also be unavailable due to his international suspension. The duo's absence comes despite their strong relationship with Messi within the national team, having been part of the squad that won the 2022 World Cup. Ultimately, Roma's busy schedule dictated the club's decision.