Football is not only a game, but also an art that unites millions of people around the world. Every era gives us great players whose names become symbols of skill and inspiration. Two such names are Lionel Messi and Paulo Dybala. These two Argentine football maestros will play together again in the same lineup for the first time since 2017. This event causes excitement not only among fans of the Argentina national team, but also among all football fans. Why is this reunion so anticipated, and how can it affect the team’s play? Let’s figure it out.
Lionel Messi is a name that has already become synonymous with football excellence. Seven-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, world champion, leader of PSG and, most importantly, the permanent captain of the Argentina national team. Messi is known for his incredible technique, ability to read the game and find unconventional solutions on the field. Each of his appearances on the field is a mini-performance that makes millions of people around the world freeze in anticipation of a miracle.
Paulo Dybala is another genius from Argentina. Although his achievements at club level are inferior to Messi’s trophy collection, Dybala is one of the brightest representatives of modern football. A player with a unique style, he can boast excellent technique, an accurate strike and the ability to create dangerous moments out of nothing. His performances for Juventus and Roma have strengthened his status as one of the best attacking midfielders of our time. At first glance, it seems that these two footballers should complement each other perfectly. However, history shows that it is not that simple. The last time Messi and Dybala played together was for Argentina at the 2018 World Cup. More precisely, the preparation for this tournament began back in 2017, when the coaches tried to find ways to integrate Dybala into a system dominated by Messi. However, the experiments were not as successful as they would have liked.
Paulo Dybala himself once admitted that playing with Messi is not easy. At a press conference in 2017, he said: “We both like to play in the same area of the pitch, and this sometimes creates difficulties.” This statement caused a lot of discussion in the football community. Many criticized Dybala for his directness, while others saw sincerity in his words. The Argentina national team, despite having two such talents, was unable to reveal their potential to 100%. Instead of harmonious interaction, we saw an imbalance and a lack of synchronicity. The then coach, Jorge Sampaoli, failed to create a tactical model that would allow the two leaders to play in unison.
Six years have passed, and much has changed in the careers of both Messi and Dybala. After winning the 2022 World Cup under Lionel Scaloni, Argentina is experiencing a boom. The team has found a balance between individual skill and team play. Lionel Messi, despite his age, is in great shape. Dybala, having moved to Roma, has gained confidence under the guidance of Jose Mourinho. Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni, who has previously proven his ability to work with young and experienced players, seems to have found the key to uniting these two stars. His main task is to use their strengths without interfering with their playing styles. In addition, Paulo Dybala himself has changed. Now he plays deeper, often acting as a playmaker. This shift in position allows him to focus more on creating chances for his teammates, and not just finishing attacks. This can help avoid conflicts on the pitch with Messi, who also likes to take on the role of conductor.