Paulo Dybala’s Struggles Continue as Future with Roma Remains Uncertain

A Transformative Year for Dybala

Paulo Dybala finds himself at a crossroads. The Argentine’s recent match in Turin against Juventus left fans shocked, especially considering it was on the turf where he rose to global stardom. However, the player known as “La Joya” appears to have lost his previous form. The year 2025 has been particularly challenging for him, marked by a striking lack of goals, a series of injuries, and increasing speculation about his departure. Reports suggest that former teammate Leandro Paredes’ Boca Juniors are keen to welcome him back in January, setting the stage for a potential transfer next summer.

Future in Doubt

This turn of events is a significant letdown for Dybala, especially as he is about to embrace fatherhood and had intentions to remain in Rome for several more years. According to Corriere dello Sport, he had hoped to extend his stay in the capital for another three seasons, but the outlook appears bleak. While there have been no official statements from Roma’s management about contract negotiations, the prevailing sentiment suggests a farewell may be imminent. Dybala currently commands a substantial salary, but his earlier performances had previously justified such compensation.

Dybala was once an irreplaceable asset capable of influencing nearly every match, especially in high-stakes encounters. Unfortunately, that version of Dybala seems to have disappeared. Despite Gian Piero Gasperini’s trust in him, Dybala has only started one of the last five matches, and his performance against Juventus resulted in another disappointing outcome for the Giallorossi.

The Shift in Strategy

With dwindling faith from the Roma fanbase, many supporters believe it may be time for the club to move forward. The focus appears to be shifting towards players like Matias Soulé, who has stepped up as a regular starter, and Ferguson, who has been earmarked as a key striker while the team seeks reinforcements in the transfer market. Gasperini’s priority appears to be signing Joshua Zirkzee, an attacking midfielder whose profile aligns closely with what Dybala once offered.

Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty

Despite the swirling rumors, Boca Juniors may have to remain patient. Dybala has shown no inclination to abandon European soccer or his ambitions of achieving success with Roma, especially for the dedicated fans who initially embraced him as a star player.

The question arises: what exactly is the impediment? Dybala seems unable to replicate his former brilliance on the pitch. Even before the surgery that sidelined him over the summer, he had displayed concerning fragility, with repetitive minor injuries disrupting his fitness and consistency. Since then, matters have only deteriorated. Gasperini attempted to build his confidence by reinstating him as a central figure in the team’s plans, declaring him and Pellegrini the squad’s most talented players. Yet, Dybala encountered another injury setback after missing a pivotal penalty against Milan— a moment that could have shifted the team’s fortunes.

It now seems highly likely that a departure from Rome is imminent, with many in Argentina expressing confidence that Dybala will join Boca Juniors by next July. This perspective suggests that his main objective must now be to leave a lasting impression and finish his tenure with Roma on a positive note. His initial year and a half in the capsule of the capital was exceptional, inspiring dreams and delivering unforgettable moments that propelled Roma to a Europa League final and beyond.

At present, however, Dybala appears distant from that formidable player. His agility seems diminished, and he frequently lacks the will or confidence to engage in threatening plays such as free kicks or long-range shots. Leaving under these circumstances would be disheartening and unjust. Regardless of what the future holds, Dybala needs to rediscover his magic. He must revert to being the extraordinary player he once was, not just for Roma, but for the fans who idolized him and for himself.