Roma refuse to release Dybala and Molina for Messi's Argentina farewell on 6 October

Pinned summary · as of 07:14

Argentina's send-off for Lionel Messi is set for 6 October, but two of his team-mates, Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina, will miss it because their club, AS Roma, has refused to let them travel. Roma has cited the long journey and logistics as its reasons.

What we know

• Messi's last outing in Argentina colours is planned for 6 October, with Argentina due to face Benin Republic that day; The Ghana Report places the occasion at the Monumental Stadium.

What's disputed / unconfirmed

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  MyNewsGH reported that Roma confirmed Dybala and Molina will not be permitted to make the trip to Argentina, with the club pointing to the length of the journey and logistical concerns. The report adds that both players will rejoin Roma training before the club's league game against Como on 11 October. No other report has confirmed this.
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  MyNewsGH also cited transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano, who wrote on X that Roma never intended to allow a long international trip and that the two players would be training with the squad next week. This is Mr Romano's account alone and has not been confirmed elsewhere.
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  The Ghana Report said Scaloni stated that Argentina will keep the No.10 shirt for Messi's farewell and will not hand it to another player until then, only afterwards deciding who inherits the number. The coach's remarks have not been confirmed by other reports.
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  The Ghana Report described Messi, 39, as the long-time wearer of Argentina's No.10 who has led the team to Copa America wins and the 2022 World Cup. This background comes from one report only.

Why it matters for Ghana

Messi is followed closely by football fans across Ghana, and his farewell marks the end of a career that included the 2022 World Cup triumph. The absence of two squad members shows the strain between club and country schedules that Ghanaian supporters also see when European-based Black Stars are called up. Fans will be watching to see who is eventually given the No.10 shirt once the farewell has taken place.