Paulo Dybala donned the revered No.10 jersey for Argentina against Chile, acknowledging the immense pressure of filling the shoes of injured superstar Lionel Messi.
Messi is currently in the process of recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the 2024 Copa America final.
This injury has prevented him from playing for his MLS team, Inter Miami, as well as representing his country on the international stage.
The 30-year-old Dybala stepped in for the 37-year-old Messi during the Argentina national team’s 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Chile on Thursday, September 5.
This game also marked an emotional farewell to Angel di Maria, who announced his international retirement.
The AS Roma star entered the match as a substitute in the 79th minute with Argentina narrowly leading 1-0 thanks to Alexis Mac Allister’s goal.
Julian Alvarez then extended the lead before Dybala sealed the 3-0 victory with a goal in stoppage time, securing a comfortable win.
Meanwhile, in a post-match interview, the 30-year-old forward acknowledged the coaching staff’s decision to assign him the No.10 jersey, admitting he was initially hesitant due to the weight of responsibility.
Dybala told TyC Sports how he felt to have filled in for the eight-time Ballon d’Or holder, stating: “Being able to come back, being here with my team-mates, with our spectacular people who support me a lot and the truth is that well, it’s special.”
“I know it’s not my shirt, we all know it’s Leo’s shirt but well, I tried to represent it in the best way, to give my best and I think I was able to do it.”
Argentina are currently thriving, leading the standings after winning six out of their seven qualifiers and only losing one.
Argentina Coach Lionel Scaloni Sets Record Straight on Dybala’s role
Lionel Scaloni has clarified that Paulo Dybala’s return to the national team was not influenced by his decision to remain at AS Roma, rather than joining the Saudi Pro League.
Scaloni emphasized that Dybala’s call-up was based solely on his footballing abilities and the fact that Argentina needs him.
Scaloni stated, “Paulo’s call-up has nothing to do with him staying in Italy. We consider what each player can give on the pitch. I made this decision considering the team’s needs and because we may need him anytime.”
Meanwhile, this statement contradicts speculation that Dybala’s Argentina career would have ended if he had joined the Saudi Pro League.
Instead, Scaloni’s comments highlight the coach’s focus on selecting players based on their on-field contributions, rather than their club choices.
Dybala’s return to the Argentina squad comes after a notable absence, having been left out of the team for last summer’s Copa America.
His inclusion is a significant boost for the team as they continue their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, especially with Messi’s absence.
Can Paulo Dybala Successfully Take Over Lionel Messi’s Role?
While Paulo Dybala is an exceptional player, filling Lionel Messi’s shoes is a daunting task.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or holder is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, with a unique combination of skills, vision, and leadership.
Meanwhile, Dybala has shown his ability to step up and deliver for Argentina, as seen in his recent performance against Chile.
However, to fill Lionel Messi’s shoes, Dybala must consistently score goals, win trophies for both club and country, bag many honors, create chances for his teammates, demonstrate exceptional dribbling skills, and have great vision on the pitch.
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