Roma forward Paulo Dybala says he is focused on Roma for now and revealed what he’s learned from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. La Joya gave a lengthy interview to the Arab newspaper “Al Arabi Al Jadeed,” where he discussed everything from Max Allegri to Jose Mourinho, working with Lionel Scaloni and his experiences with Daniele De Rossi:
“He was an icon of Roma as a player and now he is fully committed to his new role. He is transmitting his ideas, and it is truly stimulating to work with him. I want to give my best for this team and for the fans who welcomed me in an incredible way. I would like to get a positive result and reach the Champions League this year.”
As for the future? Dybala doesn’t speculate: “At the moment, my future is the next match, and then we’ll see what happens. But I play for Roma, and I see myself with Roma.”
MOURINHO AND ALLEGRI
“Working with Mourinho was exciting and represented significant growth for me. We are talking about a coach who has done a lot in his career, without a doubt he used his experience and helped me grow as a player. Honestly, I don’t know what the future holds for him, but I’m sure he will continue at a top club. Allegri? Being coached by him was fundamental in my career at two different times. When I arrived at Juventus from Palermo I was very young and I joined a team with extraordinary players like Buffon, Chiellini, and many other champions like Tevez, Higuain, and then Cristiano Ronaldo. I was young, but I matured quickly, and I learned a lot from Allegri and my teammates. They were wonderful years, in which we achieved a lot. The second time I was more mature, and we worked differently, but always with that added value that Allegri brings with him: always wanting to win and working for victory.”
THE FUTURE
“The growth of the Arab League in the last two years has been incredible, both in terms of players and clubs, but also in terms of the quality of the game. I watched several matches on TV, and I was impressed both by the level of play and the passion of the fans, with stadiums always full. Football is really loved by the younger generations. Furthermore, many of my Argentine teammates play there, and they often speak highly of it. Playing the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia (in 2019) was clearly a new experience for me. I had never been to Saudi Arabia, and it was a very positive experience. I was already struck by the fans’ passion for football and their dedication to the sport. But at the moment I play for Roma, and I imagine myself at Roma. The Saudi league is certainly one of the most important, together with MLS and European leagues.”
MESSI OR RONALDO
“From Ronaldo I learned dedication to sport, this attitude towards victory. However, playing with Lionel Messi was my childhood dream. Messi is a continuous inspiration, for us who are lucky enough to see him at our next to the pitch. It’s a joy that I’ll never forget, having shared the World Cup with him. As for Cristiano Ronaldo, he is a champion. Playing together with him was wonderful for me, but it was also a way to learn from his dedication and, above all, his constant desire to win and improve. It doesn’t surprise me that he’s doing well in Saudi Arabia too. In any case, he, Messi, and Higuain were my three favorite teammates.” And his favorite goal? “If I had to choose one, I would say the goal against Inter in the 2019/20 season, with an assist from Ramsey. And then the penalty in the World Cup, that is more important than anything else.” At the end of the interview, Dybala also mentions how he would like to be remembered: “As a talented player who always tried to give everything on the pitch. But I would also like to be remembered as a player capable of inspiring the beauty of football to older generations, young people, capable of being an example to follow on and off the pitch. This would be the most important thing.”
