Why Dybala Rejected A €75m Salary Offer From Saudi Arabia To Stay At Roma

Written By Onyeka Daniel

Before yesterday, it seemed like a far gone conclusion that Paulo Dybala will be leaving Roma, as the Giallorossi Roma have been open to the idea of selling him to Saudi Arabia, in another one of the recent exodus of players from top European clubs to the Middle East, but things took an unexpected turn.

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If not for anything, the Giallorossi were willing to sacrifice him because of his huge salary and how much it weighs on their book, hence the player has been shopped around, especially to clubs in the Middle East and according to a report from Corriere dello Sport, his representatives even explored the idea of a Nerazzurri move, but Inter showed little interest, before Al-Qadsiah showed up.

He had said his goodbyes at the Trigoria training ground earlier in the afternoon, emptied out his locker and the flight was booked to take him and his family to Saudi Arabia for this new adventure, where he would be paid €25m per season over three years. He even missed the photoshoot organised by the Lega Serie A, assuming he would not be part of the team.

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However, to the surprise of absolutely everyone, he announced via Instagram that he would “see you on Sunday” and be staying at the Stadio Olimpico. Now, more details are emerging over what prompted him to suddenly change his mind and reject the €75m package from Al-Qadsiah to stay at Roma.

According to Sky Sport Italia, it was the moment of saying farewell to teammates, staff and fans that helped change his mind. The emotional scenes saluting his friends in the squad, especially fellow Argentina international Leandro Paredes, Edoardo Bove and new teammate Matias Soulé, really got to La Joya.

Receiving gifts over the last few days from supporters outside the gates also touched him, while there were messages from Argentina urging him to not effectively end his career in the Saudi Pro League before even turning 31. Gianluca Di Marzio also argues that Dybala’s wife Oriana and his mother were by no means enthusiastic about the idea of moving to Saudi Arabia either, so they too influenced his decision.

Roma had not accepted the offer yet from Al-Qadsiah, worth €3m plus bonuses, and Daniele De Rossi seemingly made clear that it was entirely a decision in the player’s hands. The coach only ever said that Roma were above everyone and everything, including himself, but was in no rush to get rid of the Argentine.

Meanwhile, Roma fans took to social media this evening to express their shock and joy at, as did teammates and Dybala’s wife. Leandro Paredes decided to make it extra clear with his own Instagram Story: “For those who haven’t worked it out yet, La Joya is staying with us.”

Dybala got married to partner Oriana over the summer and she replied to her husband’s post with six heart emojis in a row. Matias Soulé was positively overcome with emotion, posting a photograph of them together along with the emojis of hearts and tears.

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Many neutral supporters also credited the player with choosing to turn down the millions in the Saudi Pro League to continue fighting for his place at Roma, especially as he will not be 31 until November. The biggest compliment of all was fans telling him that now he has earned the right to wear the Number 10 jersey, an iconic shirt worn by legends Francesco Totti and Giuseppe Giannini.

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