8 Things You Didn’t Know About Paulo Dybala

In Argentina, Paulo Dybala has long been regarded as Lionel Messi’s successor. The five-time Serie A champion won’t need much of an introduction, especially in Italy, where he has previously played for Juventus and Palermo. Nonetheless, here are a few facts about the 28-year-old that you may not be aware of.

8 Things You Didn’t Know About Paulo Dybala

1. His Two Interesting Nick Names

Paulo Dybala has two intriguing nicknames: ‘La Joya,’ which translates to ‘The Jewel,’ and ‘El pibe de la pensión,’ which translates to ‘The kid who creates the pension.’ After his father died unexpectedly, forcing him to leave his home and relocate to Cordoba’s guesthouse, he earned the nickname ‘El pibe de la pension.’

2. His Girlfriend Is In The Music Industry

Dybala, 27, is currently in a relationship with a young woman named Oriana Sabatini, also known as Oriana in the music industry. In Argentina, the 22-year-old is a model, pop singer, and actress. Her aunty, Gabriella Sabatini, won the US Open in 1990, so she has sporting blood in her veins.

3. Almost Left Football

Paulo Dybala’s father died of intestinal cancer in 2008. Dybala was left broken and shattered by his father’s death, and he almost quit football because his father was the sole inspiration behind him pursuing the sport. ^[1]

4. His Football Idols

Dybala revealed in his documentary, ‘La Joya,’ that Pirlo was his favorite footballer growing up and a role model for him. However, Pirlo is not the only footballer who has influenced ‘La Joya,’ as he has stated that as a child, he idolized legendary Argentine midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme, as well as Barcelona and Brazil legend, Ronaldinho. ^[2]

5. Working On His Right Foot

Dybala has always been a southpaw. He writes, eats, and even brushes his teeth with his left hand, not to mention his magnificent left foot. However, he is working on improving his right foot by writing with his right foot every day with a pen. He believes it gives him better control over his weaker foot and will benefit his football career in the long run. ^[3]

6. Played Alongside Messi And Ronaldo

Paulo Dybala has had the unique opportunity to play alongside two modern-day football legends, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. While he plays alongside Messi in Argentina, his attacking partner at Juventus is Portuguese goal-machine Ronaldo.

7. His Goal Celebration

The first is a Messi-Esque celebration with two fingers pointing to the sky, which he uses to honor his late father. The second is a very interesting one called the ‘Dybalamask.’ To commemorate the achievement, he covers his face, below the nose, with his hands in a manner similar to that of a mask.

8. Once Tested Positive For Corona

The Coronavirus pandemic dominated the world for much of 2020. The virus was found in Paulo Dybala and his partner too.