Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni did not pick Roma forward Paulo Dybala in the Argentina squad for Copa America 2024. Dybala Copa America exclusion is a setback for all his fans. See why Paulo Dybala is not playing for Argentina National Team.
Dybala was also not included in Argentina Squad for Copa America 2021. At that time, Lionel Scaloni has cited injury and fitness concerns as the reasons for not picking Paulo Dybala in Argentina squad for Copa America 2021.
“Nobody is as sad as I am. I adore Paulo, but we need players who are fit and ready. He had a tough season and injuries prevented him from getting regular playing time. It was too late when he returned to action,” the coach said. Had I been allowed to bring 26 players, I would have called him, but we had to make a different decision. It’s just a pause, his value can’t be questioned. I hope he recovers soon.”
Paulo Dybala’s relationship with the Argentina national team has never been on good terms. The former Juventus star has become a forgotten man for Lionel Scaloni as other talents of his age or younger have been given the chance to shine. Although it is known to all that Dybala suffered a few injuries in this season, but he has now recovered fully and a player as talented as him must have given a chance in the squad.
Argentina Squad for Copa America 2024
Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Geronimo Rulli, Emiliano Martinez
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Leonardo Balerdi, Cristian Romero, German Pezzella, Lucas Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Marcos Acuna, Nicolas Tagliafico, Valentin Barco
Midfielders: Guido Rodriguez, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernandez, Giovani Lo Celso
Forwards: Angel Di Maria, Valentin Carboni, Lionel Messi, Angel Correa, Alejandro Garnacho, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez
In this article we have mentioned some reasons behind the exclusion of Paulo Dybala from the Argentina squad :
Too many strikers in Argentina squad
One of the main reasons for the omission of Paulo Dybala from Argentina squad for Copa America 2024 is that there are a lot of strikers in Argentina. The team has always been a factory of strikers. From Diego Maradona to the best player of our generation Lionel Messi, Argentina has vast availability when it comes to strikers. Paulo Dybala is not playing for Argentina National Team because there is a plenty of strikers in the squad.
In Fifa World Cup 2018, Argentina squad had Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi, Mario Icardi and Paula Dybala. That’s a plentiful of forward players. This time coach Lionel Scaloni has decided to take Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez and Alejandro Garnacho as forwards alongside Lionel Messi.
Dybala’s Injury
Paulo Dybala had a splendid season with Roma under Jose Mourinho this season. He scored 16 goals and provided 10 assists in 38 appearances across all competitions for the Giallorossi. Dybala recently suffered a muscle injury but it was clear that he will recover in time for Copa America. Although he has recovered from injury and looked to have rediscovered his form but that hasn’t convinced Lionel Salconi to pick him for the Argentina Copa America squad. The injuries have affected Dybala Argentina career.
Dybala does not fit into Argentina Team
The most clear explanation would be that Dybala with all his talent when on top form, simply does not fit into this Argentina team. When Dybala came to Argentina at beginning he was considered a proper heir to Lionel Messi with a vicious left-foot. Lionel Scaloni’s plans are based around a dynamic, mobile engine room, pace down both wings and close, rapid touches in the penalty area between Messi, Lautaro Martinez and a late-arriving midfielder before getting the shot away. So even if he had good season with Roma, then also it was difficult for him to get a chance in Argentina starting lineup.
Dybala’s playing style is similar to Messi’s
Paulo Dybala once hit the headlines for his admission that it is “hard to play alongside Messi.”
Lionel Messi has himself admitted that he has struggled to build up an on-pitch rapport with Paulo Dybala because the Argentina stars play so similarly.
“At Juventus he plays just like me, we look for the same spaces. Alongside me in the national team he had to play more on the left, maybe he’s not so used to that.”
The two both like to cut in from the right, they both have stunning ball control, they both dribble with elegance and they both revel in the space between the opposition’s defence and midfield. However, Dybala has a long way to go before equalling Messi.
When Lionel Messi retires, Dybala could find his spot straight into the Argentina squad.
Dybala failed to impress with Argentina
Dybala was handed his international debut in October 2015 by Gerardo Martino. He has scored just twice for Argentina, against a largely second-string Mexico side back in 2018, and in last year’s Copa America third-place play-off with Chile. Dybala has consistently failed to impress on the occasions when Messi was absent.
