Paulo Dybala is poised to extend his stay with AS Roma, with an agreement expected within days, according to reports in Italy. The club is acting on the specific request of new manager Daniele De Rossi to retain the Argentinian forward for another season.
Dybala recently spoke candidly in a podcast interview with YouTuber Daavo, reflecting on his career and praising both Lionel Messi and Jose Mourinho. He described Mourinho as “a genius and a good person,” emphasizing the respect and care the Portuguese manager showed him and the team. Dybala credited Mourinho with his move to Roma, recalling a memorable and emotional presentation at the Colosseum Quadrato, where he was greeted by approximately 15,000 fans – a stark contrast to the atmosphere he experienced during his time at Juventus, a club he noted is often disliked in Italy.
The 30-year-old also expressed lingering disappointment over Roma’s Europa League final defeat to Sevilla, citing controversial refereeing decisions as a contributing factor. He specifically pointed to a handball incident, but also suggested other questionable calls throughout the match impacted the outcome. Despite the heartbreak, Dybala acknowledged the strong support he received from the Roma fanbase.
In a surprising statement, Dybala lauded young Spanish winger Lamine Yamal as a potential successor to Messi, recognizing his exceptional talent and potential. He also offered praise for other prominent players like Federico Valverde, Cucurella, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Kylian Mbappé, recalling a past encounter with Mbappé while playing for Juventus. Dybala noted Mbappé’s speed and decisiveness even at a young age, but highlighted the strength of Juventus’ defense at that time as being able to contain him.
The renewal of Dybala’s contract represents a significant boost for Roma as they prepare for the upcoming Serie A season under De Rossi. Securing the Argentinian’s services provides a creative spark in attack and reinforces their ambitions for a top finish.
