{
  "id": 10883480,
  "title": "Roma rule out Dybala, Molina for Messi’s Argentina farewell",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/roma-rule-out-dybala-molina-for-messis-argentina-farewell-10883480",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T07:14:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/roma-rule-out-dybala-molina-for-messis-argentina-farewell/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "AS Roma have decided not to include Argentine footballers Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina in their match against Benin on October 6, honoring Lionel Messi. The club made the announcement on Tuesday, citing sporting and logistical reasons. Both Dybala and Molina, who were part of the Argentina side that won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, were linked to Messi and played a key role in his victory. Despite acknowledging the significance of the occasion, Roma stated that their decision was not due to a lack of regard for Messi or its importance. The club expressed its utmost respect for Messi and his career, wishing him and the Argentine Football Association a special evening ahead of the match. Dybala and Molina will not participate in the event, even though they previously played alongside Messi for Argentina.",
  "summary": "AS Roma has ruled out Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina from Lionel Messi’s farewell match against Benin, citing sporting and logistical reasons. Read More: https://punchng.com/roma-rule-out-dybala-molina-for-messis-argentina-farewell/",
  "key_points": [
    "Roma rule out Dybala and Molina for Messi's Argentina farewell.",
    "Decision based on sporting and logistical reasons.",
    "Respect expressed for Messi and Argentine Football Association."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Two Argentina players blocked from Messi’s farewell match",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/two-argentina-players-blocked-from-messis-farewell-match",
        "published": "2026-09-30T05:16:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Roma rule out Dybala, Molina for Messi’s Argentina farewell",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/roma-rule-out-dybala-molina-for-messis-argentina-farewell",
        "published": "2026-09-30T07:00:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}