In Roma’s post-Totti era, no player has embodied the magic of La Magica more than Paulo Dybala. In many ways, he was the perfect successor to Francesco Totti. They may not be identical players, but Dybala has a similar aura and an almost ethereal style of play, gliding around the pitch, divining ways to intercede in the affairs of mere mortals. In presence, form and function, Dybala is a living reminder of why they call this the beautiful game.
While we’ve caught him on the downward slope of his career,
the 32-year-old Dybala has conjured more than a few miracles during his four-year stint with Roma. Across all competitions, Dybala has amassed 45 goals and 28 assists in approximately 9,000 minutes, and on a per-90-minute basis, his goal contributions are right in line with his Juventus peak: 0.74 (Roma) vs. 0.73 (Juventus).
Even if stats aren’t your thing, the eye test tells the same story: Dybala still has it. Roma has gotten better at adapting to his injury concerns, but they’re always better off with Dybala on the pitch. Facing the prospect of life without La Joya has been almost too much to bear for Roma fans, who have dealt with overtures from Boca Juniors, unnamed Premiership outfits, and Saudi petrol clubs over the past year, not to mention that one day when a return to Juventus made waves.
Fear no more, Roma fans.
Earlier today, the club announced they have signed Dybala to a new deal through June 30, 2027. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but there is some discrepancy regarding the rumored 2028 option year. While both Nicolo Schira and Gianluca Di Marzio agree on the wages (€2.5 million plus bonuses), Schira reports that there is an additional option year included in the deal.
The club seldom includes the finer points of contracts in its announcements, so the deal may very well include an option for 2028, and I suspect we’ll hear more about that as the season progresses. Either way, Dybala is back and that’s cause for celebration.
