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Lionel Messi farewell: UBA honors captain as Roma blocks players
Lionel Messi is set to play his final match for the Argentina national team against Benin on October 6 at the Monumental Stadium. In anticipation of the event, the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) has unanimously approved awarding him a Doctor Honoris Causa, its highest honorary distinction, to recognize his sporting career and his role as a cultural ambassador.
While the farewell event has triggered a massive surge in domestic travel and tourism searches within Argentina, AS Roma has officially blocked players Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina from attending. The Italian club cited sporting and logistical reasons, specifically the physical strain of intercontinental travel and the proximity of upcoming Serie A and Champions League fixtures. Roma expressed respect for Messi’s career but prioritized the players' readiness for upcoming matches against Como and Real Madrid.
Entities
AS Roma · Argentina · Argentina national football team · Argentina national team · Lionel Messi · Nahuel Molina · Paulo Dybala · University of Buenos Aires