Messi and Dybala's difficult relationship
Still can't play together
Posted Sunday, June 23, 2019 by Marca.com
It's been a poor opening to the Copa America for Argentina so far, despite the Albiceleste being one of the pre-tournament favourites, and Lionel Messi's international frustrations have continued in Brazil.
Lionel Scaloni trialled an XI with Paulo Dybala among the starters on Thursday, but the Juventus player was again cast aside, showing that he's no more than a peripheral player for his country as he continues to struggle to coexist with Messi.
The story has repeated itself since starting under Edgardo Bauza in 2016. Dybala debuted against Uruguay as Messi scored the only goal in a 1-0 win, but La Joya was dismissed on the stroke of half-time for a second yellow card.
Then came Jorge Sampaoli in 2017 who tried to bring them together, but a relationship never formed on the pitch and Dybala himself acknowledged it.
"It's going to seem strange, what I'm about to say," said Dybala at a press conference.
"It's a bit difficult to play with Messi for Argentina because we both play in the same position. I'm the one who has to adapt to make him feel comfortable."
His words weren't let slide, either, and they were held against Dybala and used by his critics as a stick to beat him with.
He barely played 20 minutes in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, coming on with Croatia already 3-0 up.
But Scaloni started to use him a bit in Messi's absence, though the Barcelona captain's return raises questions.
"Leo and Paulo are compatible," insisted the coach earlier this year while looking ahead to the Copa America.
"But you have to work on it. Surely with time they can do it, but now it's not right.
"We have a lot of time to prepare."
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