Argentine stars set for Serie A showdown after Messi’s international farewell
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - OCTOBER 06: Nico Paz of Argentina celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Lionel Messi during the International Friendly match between Argentina and Benin at Estadio Monumental Antonio V. Liberti on October 06, 2026 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Lionel Messi is making his final appearance for Argentina following his announcement of international retirement on 31 August. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
Argentine stars Nico Paz and Paulo Dybala are preparing to face off in Serie A, though their international breaks could hardly have been more different.
Serie A resumes this weekend after a three-week-long international break, and Como-Roma is the big match of Round 6.
The match is expected to attract plenty of attention from football fans worldwide, with many following the action alongside other forms of online entertainment, including online casino games.
The meeting between two of Serie A’s most talented players, Nico Paz and Dybala, will be more interesting than ever as it will occur just a few days after Messi’s farewell game with his national team.
The legendary No.10 played his last international match against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on October 6.
Nico Paz was part of the Argentina squad for the break, so he could witness Messi’s final game with the Albiceleste. The Como talent even scored and assisted in a 4-0 win over Bolivia on October 1.
Dybala, meanwhile, was not part of the team, and Roma denied him authorisation to travel to Argentina to see Messi in action for the national team one last time.
The same applied to Dybala’s Roma teammate Nahuel Molina, who was serving a ban.
“AS Roma announces that Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina will not attend the event being held in Argentina for the match between Argentina and Benin on 6 October,” Roma said on September 29.
“The Club acknowledges the significance of the occasion for both players, who share a close bond with Lionel Messi and were part of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning team alongside him.
“The decision has been made for sporting and logistical reasons, taking into account the length of the intercontinental journey and the proximity of the Club’s upcoming competitive fixtures.
“AS Roma has the utmost respect for Lionel Messi and his extraordinary career and wishes him and the Argentine Football Association a very special evening.”
When Roma and Como meet at the Stadio Sinigaglia on October 11, Dybala and Paz will be in contrasting situations.
Dybala will surely be more rested, but will probably carry a shade of bitterness for not attending Messi’s farewell, while Paz will have witnessed a legendary moment in football, coming to the match in slightly worse shape.
Dybala helped make Argentina history as part of the team that won the 2022 World Cup, scoring a penalty in the shootout against France in the Final.
Como lost their previous match before the break, falling 2-0 away to Frosinone, while Roma drew 2-2 against Inter at home but saw the defending champions climb back from a two-goal deficit.
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