During Argentina’s World Cup qualifying match against Chile this past Sept 5, Paulo Dybala was subbed into the match replacing Alexis Mac Allister in the 79th minute. What made this match special for La Joya (The Jewel) was being brought into the match wearing the number ten. The last user of the number was Lionel Messi, who was not selected for international duty due to an injury that occurred during the 2024 Copa America Final.
Dybala, who was left out of the 26-man squad, had his future with the national team plagued with uncertainties. After this match, that path was paved once again.
In the 91st a short pass from Alejandro Garnacho from the edge of the box, Dybala dribbled past one defender and shot with his left foot and with an apparent slight deflection scored his fourth ever goal for the Albiceleste.
In Argentinean football culture, the number ten signifies a different player level—best of the best forwards/playmakers.
Football fans a few years ago assumed that Dybala would take over the #10 when Messi retired from the national team, but Messi’s longevity has hindered Dybala’s chances. Now the main conversation is that Dybala cannot play alongside Messi due to having a similar playstyle and resembling positioning on the pitch.
According to TyC Sports, Dybala said, “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 go in to give my best and I think I was able to do it.”
With paying homage to the Argentina captain, Dybala would look to continue his good form against Colombia in Matchday 8 of CONMEBOL qualifiers and with Roma in the early stages of the season.
Fans watch to see if he can be integrated into CONMEBOL qualifiers in October with Messi potentially returning from injury.
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La Joya reps Messi jersey
October 14, 2024
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