Paulo Bruno Exequiel Dybala (born 15 November 1993) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for Serie A club Roma and the Argentina national team. Widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation, he is known for his creative style of play, dribbling ability, precise long-range shots, and capacity to score and create chances. Due to his elegant play and technical skill, he is often nicknamed "La Joya" (The Jewel).
Early Life and Career Dybala was born in Laguna Larga, Córdoba Province, Argentina. His paternal grandfather, Bolesław Dybała, was from Kraśniów, Poland. Dybala began his football career at the age of ten, joining the youth ranks of Instituto de Córdoba. He made his professional debut for Instituto in Argentina's Primera B Nacional (second division) on 12 August 2011, at just 17 years old. He quickly became a key player for the club, scoring 17 goals in 38 appearances during his debut season.
Club Career
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Palermo (2012–2015) In 2012, Dybala moved to Italy, signing with Serie A club Palermo. In his first season, he struggled to adapt but showed flashes of his potential. In the 2013–14 season, he played a crucial role in helping Palermo win the Serie B title and secure promotion back to Serie A. His performances in the 2014–15 Serie A season, where he scored 13 goals, garnered significant attention from top European clubs.
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Juventus (2015–2022) On 4 June 2015, Dybala joined Juventus on a five-year contract for a reported fee of €32 million. He quickly established himself as a central figure for the club, adapting his role and demonstrating versatility across various attacking positions. During his time at Juventus, he won five consecutive Serie A titles (2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20), four Coppa Italia titles, and three Supercoppa Italiana titles. He was a key player in Juventus's run to the UEFA Champions League final in 2017. In the 2019–20 season, Dybala was named the Serie A Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his outstanding contributions. He departed Juventus in 2022 after his contract expired, scoring 115 goals in 293 appearances across all competitions for the club.
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Roma (2022–present) On 20 July 2022, Dybala signed with Serie A club Roma on a free transfer. He made an immediate impact, becoming a talismanic figure for the team. In his debut season, he helped Roma reach the UEFA Europa League final.
International Career Dybala is eligible to play for Argentina, Poland, and Italy due to his heritage. He chose to represent his birth country, Argentina. He received his first call-up to the Argentina national team in September 2015 and made his senior international debut on 13 October 2015.
He has represented Argentina in major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022. He was part of the squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, famously scoring a penalty in the final's decisive shoot-out against France. He also won the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions in 2022.
Playing Style Dybala is predominantly left-footed and known for his exceptional technical ability, vision, and creativity. He is celebrated for his close control, dribbling skills, and ability to operate effectively in tight spaces. Dybala possesses a powerful and accurate shot from both inside and outside the box, making him a potent goalscorer. He is also a skilled free-kick taker and penalty specialist.
He typically plays as a second striker, an attacking midfielder, or a right winger who cuts inside onto his stronger left foot. His intelligence and movement allow him to link up play and create opportunities for teammates, often dropping deep to collect the ball and orchestrate attacks.
Honours
Club
- Palermo
- Serie B: 2013–14
- Juventus
- Serie A: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20
- Coppa Italia: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21
- Supercoppa Italiana: 2015, 2018, 2020
International
- Argentina
- FIFA World Cup: 2022
- CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions: 2022
Individual
- Serie A Team of the Year: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20
- Serie A Most Valuable Player: 2019–20