Professional club commitments have stood in the way of World Cup winners Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina attending Lionel Messi’s emotional international farewell. AS Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini confirmed that the club will not permit the two Argentine stars to travel to South America, prioritizing key upcoming European fixtures.
Lionel Messi will officially bring down the curtain on his legendary international career on Wednesday (October 7, 2026) during a special tribute match against West African nation Benin at the iconic Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires.
Explaining the decision to deny travel even for spectator attendance, Gasperini outlined the physical demands facing the Italian club:
Travel Fatigue & Crucial Fixtures: Following the international window, AS Roma faces Como in Serie A, followed immediately by a high-stakes UEFA Champions League clash against Real Madrid. Gasperini emphasized that a trans-Atlantic flight to Argentina right before these crucial games would physically compromise the players.
Close Friendship with Messi: Though unselected in the playing squad, Dybala and Molina—who share a combined 105 caps for the Albiceleste—had requested permission to support their longtime teammate and captain directly from the stands.
Tribute to Messi’s Legacy: Despite enforcing the travel ban, Gasperini expressed profound admiration for Messi, stating, “Many greats have graced football, but what Lionel achieved stands unequaled. Witnessing the final chapter of his epic international journey is truly poignant.”
Serie A Stars on the Pitch: While Dybala and Molina remain in Rome, several Serie A figures will feature in Argentina’s matchday squad, including Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martínez, Juventus winger Nico González, Como’s Nico Paz, and Roma’s Matías Soulé, Leonardo Balerdi, and Santiago Castro.
