Roma’s pursuit of a Champions League return has suffered a major setback, with Paulo Dybala ruled out for more than six weeks following a knee injury. Italian outlets La Gazzetta dello Sport and Sky Sport Italia reported that the Argentine underwent surgery on Friday in Rome after scans revealed a complete longitudinal tear of the external meniscus. Dybala had abandoned Thursday’s training session with what the club initially described as muscle fatigue.

The expected forty‑five‑day absence means he will miss seven Serie A fixtures and the Europa League round of sixteen tie against Bologna. Dybala had already been sidelined throughout February due to persistent knee issues and remained unused in his brief return to the bench against Juventus on March 1.

Now thirty‑two, he has struggled to secure a regular starting role and has scored only twice in seventeen league appearances.