INTERNATIONAL
Paulo Dybala dedicates emotional World Cup words to his father
The Argentine player revealed how he cried thinking about the Qatar 2022 triumph and how someone very special was missing.
The Argentina national team appeared in front of its adoring people in a packed Monumental Stadium and served up a 2-0 victory over Panama. Following the game, one in which the starting XI was identical to those who took to the field for the glorious final against France in December, Paulo Dybala broke the silence on something that he had not spoken about in public since becoming a World Champion.
Dybala’s missing father at World Cup
“Recently, as I was going to sleep with Oriana [Dybala’s girlfriend] we started talking a little,” he revealed. “I had not cried and it was the first night that I cried thinking about the World Cup, thinking about my dad and how he had not been with me lifting the trophy.
“Many memories came back because I believe that if anyone deserved to be by my side raising the cup that day then it was my old man. For all the effort he made when I was a boy, taking me to each training session, and every day I thank him for what he gave me and today I think he must be very happy.”
As well as that emotional moment, Dybala made reference to the injury that had him as a doubt to be part of the Albiceleste final squad list.
“It’s a nice story because my injury was due to a penalty and I was able to commemorate it with a penalty as well. When it was my turn it was not easy because a thousand things came to mind but I also worked hard. I suffered a lot...
“Today we are the happiest in the world.”