Paulo Dybala is reportedly closing in on a sensational return to Argentine football with Boca Juniors, fourteen years after leaving his homeland for Europe. According to ESPN Argentina, the AS Roma forward has a preliminary agreement in principle to join the Buenos Aires giants following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The move would mark a poignant homecoming for the player nicknamed 'La Joya' (The Jewel), who began his career at Instituto de Córdoba before moving to Italy in 2012.
The potential transfer has been heavily influenced by Dybala's close relationship with former Roma teammate Leandro Paredes, who now plays for Boca. In an interview with the YouTube channel of El Pollo Álvarez, Dybala revealed the extent of the lobbying campaign from the Paredes family. "I receive messages from Leo, from Cami, his wife, who has a very good relationship with Oriana (Dybala's wife), and we always talk with them," Dybala explained. "Since the day he left, it was very sad for us, because of the relationship we had with his family, because we shared daily life. We are much less together, almost never, so they insist quite a lot on this question."
Now 30, Dybala has spent the majority of his storied career in Italy, achieving iconic status during seven seasons at Juventus where he won five Serie A titles. He joined Roma on a free transfer in the summer of 2022 and has been a key figure for the Giallorossi, scoring 32 goals in 79 appearances across all competitions. His current contract with the Italian club runs until June 2025, meaning a move to Boca would likely occur as a free agent after the 2026 World Cup, assuming his deal is not extended.
For Boca Juniors, securing a player of Dybala's caliber would represent a major coup in their strategy of integrating experienced, high-profile Argentine stars. The club has recently brought in veterans like Edinson Cavani and, of course, Leandro Paredes. Dybala's arrival would electrify the Bombonera and provide a significant boost to Boca's ambitions both domestically and in the Copa Libertadores. For Dybala, the move offers a chance to conclude his career in his native country, playing for one of its most storied clubs, a narrative that holds deep emotional weight in Argentine football culture.
The timeline of the proposed transfer, set for after the 2026 World Cup, suggests Dybala intends to see out his peak years in Europe with Roma while also aiming to feature for Argentina in the next global tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Should the move materialize, it would bring a storybook close to the European chapter of one of Argentina's most technically gifted forwards of his generation.
