Gasperini bars Dybala and Molina from Messi farewell

At the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Gian Piero Gasperini spoke to Sky Sport Italia, outlining why Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina will stay home while Lionel Messi bids farewell to the Argentina national team.

Scheduling clash

Gasperini said the pair are "too close to an important game" – Roma’s Serie A fixtures against Como and Real Madrid immediately after the international break – to travel to Buenos Aires for the friendly against Benin at 00.00 BST on Wednesday, 7 October.

He added that the long flight would have meant “many hours of travel” just before a crucial league match, and the club preferred to avoid that risk.

Emotional farewell

“Messi’s farewell will be emotional,” Gasperini remarked, adding that “it’s hard to think of anyone who’s achieved what Lionel has”.

The coach also reflected on his own career, saying he has seen many star players both as a player and as a coach.

Player circumstances

Dybala has not featured for Argentina since 2024, while Molina served an international suspension after the 2026 World Cup final.

Despite not being called up this month, the Roma duo, who together hold 105 caps, had hoped to attend the final Argentina match.

Gasperini praised Dybala’s recent training, noting he has been working “since early July” and appears happy, while “Malen” (referring to Molina) was recovering from a knee problem.

Chi decision

The decision, explained in Italian, was finalised on the last day of the squad’s break, with the coach insisting continuity in preparation for the league restart.