Who knows what kind of player would Dybala be without injuries...

Paulo Dybala has been playing much better for Roma since Claudio Ranieri took over as head coach. The experienced tactician seems to have found the right approach for the former Juventus star, and the results were immediately noticeable. However, just as things were looking up, the worst possible news struck.

During Roma’s last Serie A match against Cagliari, Dybala was substituted after just 11 minutes due to a hamstring injury. It was immediately clear that the issue was serious, and after further medical examinations, Roma fans received devastating news—surgery is required, meaning Dybala won’t return to the pitch for the rest of the season.

For Roma, this is the worst possible scenario, especially in the midst of their fight for European competitions and the resurgence they’ve experienced under Ranieri. Injuries are nothing new for Argentinian player, who has struggled to stay fit throughout his career. While he has never suffered a major long-term injury, he has frequently been sidelined for short spells—often 10 days to two weeks—which makes it difficult for a player to regain form. In Serie A, no player has had as many seemingly minor injuries as Dybala, only for recovery to take longer than expected.

Now, all eyes are on Roma to see how they will cope without him. After the international break, they face Lecce, followed by a crucial match against Juventus and then the Derby della Capitale against Lazio. Initial estimates suggested that Dybala might be out for just a month and could return for the season’s final stretch, but now that it’s clear he won’t be back, Ranieri will have to come up with a new plan.

This season, the Argentine has played 36 matches across all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing four assists.