Roma blocks Dybala and Molina from Messi's farewell despite respect
While tickets for Lionel Messi's farewell match with Argentina vanished in just ninety minutes, Roma chose to keep Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina in Italy, denying the two 2022 World Cup winners a trip to Buenos Aires.
Roma cited a cramped schedule that includes Serie A and Champions League fixtures as the reason for refusing the release, aiming to spare the players from a taxing round‑trip between Europe and South America.
Club's respect and remaining squad
The club issued a statement saying, "Roma expresses the utmost respect for Lionel Messi and his extraordinary career, and wishes him, as well as the Argentine Football Federation, a special night."
Nevertheless, Roma confirmed that three other loanees – Matías Soulé, Leonardo Balerdi and Santiago Castro – will join the national side for the friendly.
Messi's farewell and Argentine backdrop
The friendly against Benin at the Monumental will be Messi's final appearance in an Argentina shirt, and the event has already sold out.
National team manager Lionel Scaloni selected the squad for upcoming games against Bolivia and Burkina Faso, and had also invited Dybala and Molina as honoured guests for the farewell ceremony.
In unrelated Argentine news, Vojvoda was dismissed from Racing after the club suffered a comeback loss to Boca in the Campeonato Argentino.
The announcement appeared among other Notícias on Roma's official channels, underscoring the clash between club commitments in the Italiano league and the historic farewell of an Argentino icon.