Paulo Dybala was cited this Monday by Lionel Scaloni to join the call of the Argentine National Team that will compete in the next double date of the South American Qualifiers for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico 2026.
The experienced forward from Córdoba, who in the last few hours rejected a succulent offer of 75 million dollars from Al Qadsiah of Saudi Arabia, had warned that his decision to remain in Rome was due, among other reasons, to the desire to continue being a member of the national team. And the world champion in Qatar 2022 had the quick reward for him, since he was included at the last minute among the players who had already been summoned days ago by Scaloni and his coaching staff to play against Chile and Colombia.
In the first instance, Scaloni had announced a payroll that did not have Dybala, who had also missed the Copa América in the United States where the Scaloneta won the two-time continental championship. The injured person was not among those mentioned either. Lionel Messiwho still has not played again since that final against Colombia, and the “retired” Angel Di Mariawho said goodbye to the national team after the coronation at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Among the main novelties, in return, the presence of the midfielder could be observed Ezequiel Fernandez and of the forwards Giuliano Simeonewith a great performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Matías Soulé y Valentin Castellanos.
On this double date, the National Team will receive Chile on September 5 at the Monumental and five days later he will visit Colombia in Barranquilla. Those led by Scaloni are first in the standings with 15 points out of a possible 18. They are followed by Uruguay, with 13, and Colombia, with 12.
Ovation for Dybala at the Olympic Stadium in Rome
The Olympic Stadium in Rome received Dybala on Sunday with honors, who days ago had announced his continuity with the club yellow-red rejecting the multi-million dollar offer from the Saudi Al-Qadsiah. Applauded in the warm-up, the Argentine did not stop receiving signs of affection from fans who, if he idolized him before, now worship him. Something that he demonstrated when the loudspeakers announced the local team’s number 21, exploding with a shout in unison accompanied by a loud ovation to close the long-suffering chapter of a possible march.
The displays of affection did not end at that moment, because just before the start of the game a banner emerged dedicated to the ‘Joya: “Heart, soul and life. Thank you, Paulo”he prayed in it.
Dybala had been a substitute against Cagliari in the first game of the season due to this same market issue, but he took the field to try to avoid a goalless draw and was the best. His cross was close to scoring the 3 points, but the Ukrainian Dovbyk hit the crossbar.
Now, the Argentine star is once again the center of Daniele De Rossi’s Roma project, in which he has accumulated 79 official matches as a Romanista, with a balance of 34 goals and 18 assists, establishing himself since his arrival as the fundamental player of the team that Portuguese José Mourinho also trained.
Sunday did not end well for Dybala and Roma. Lost 2-1 with Empoli. Gisi in the last minute of the first half and a penalty committed by Leandro Paredes and converted by Colombo at 16 of the second period gave the visitors a comfortable advantage. Shomurodov discounted, with ten to go. A draw and a defeat in two games does not sound like much for a team with aspirations and that retained its Jewel.
Scaloni’s complete list
Archers: Emiliano Martínez, Wálter Benítez, Gerónimo Rulli and Juan Musso.
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Germán Pezzella, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico and Valentín Barco.
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodríguez, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Giovani Lo Celso, Ezequiel Fernández and Rodrigo De Paul.
Fronts: Paulo Dybala, Nicolás González, Alejandro Garnacho, Matías Soulé, Giuliano Simeone, Valentín Carboni, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez and Valentín Castellanos.