Argentina's Crown Prince: Can Paulo Dybala Step Up in Leo Messi's Absence?

Juventus star Paulo Dybala has been pushing insistently for a place in the Argentina side for the last 18 months at least. But the tricky Cordoba-born star could not have imagined that his great chance would arise thanks to what has become little short of a national tragedy for La Albiceleste. 

Lionel Messi has decided to cut short his international career at the age of 29. The disappointment of making it all the way to another major final, this time in the Copa America Centenario, and miss out on the trophy was too much for the Barcelona magician. 

This time Messi suffered the added indignation of blazing Argentina's first penalty of the shootout over the bar as Chile eventually ran out 4-2 winners.

"The national team is over for me, that's it," he fired to reporters after the match, and so far not even a phone call from Argentina President Mauricio Macri, per AFP (h/t Goal) or an incredibly moving letter from an Entre Rios teacher pleading with him not to quit, per the Wall Street Journal, seem able to move him. 

We must never say never. La Pulga may well return to the Albiceleste ranks at some point, possibly before the World Cup kicks off in Russia 24 months from now. But in the meantime Gerardo Martino and his depleted side must turn their attentions to life without Messi—and fortunately, the incredible production line of talent in the nation has thrown up a player who would surely be pushing 30 caps already in almost any other side in the world. 

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Dybala, however, is Argentinian and a player who excites easy comparisons with Messi. Those similarities most likely explain why, despite starring in Italy for the last four seasons and winning the Scudetto during his first campaign with Juventus, he has only pulled on his national shirt three times.

What's more, he looks set to miss out on not just the Copa this summer but also the Olympic Games due to Argentina's stunning incompetence. 

In declining to pick La Joya in favour of China-based Ezequiel Lavezzi, Martino had included the youngster in his 35-man preliminary squad for Brazil this August, per ESPN FC. But Juventus had always maintained that he would not be allowed to compete in the Olympics and put their foot down in June to end any chance Dybala had of representing his country. 

"I’ve talked to the club, the directors and the coach [Max Allegri]," Dybala told TyC Sports (h/t Football Italia). "They considered all the circumstances, we are aiming to win the Champions League so they want everyone to have a good pre-season. Last season we didn’t have a good pre-season, and throughout the season there were 40 injuries. That’s why they want everyone to be available for the training camp."

The youngster also referred to his "idol" before the Copa America final, barely imagining that, just days later, he would be the prime candidate to step into his giant boots.

"Lionel Messi? He’s an example in every sense. He’s my idol, and it’s the same for many young Argentines," he said. 

"Being Argentina’s No. 9 isn’t easy, there’s a lot of competition, but of course I want to be there.

"Juventus have given me the opportunity to play a little further back and have more of a free role, but Tata Martino has told me he sees me more as a pure number 9, so I’ll try to earn my place."

Martino may have seen the former Instituto and Palermo man as a centre-forward before Sunday's bombshell, but he would do well to reconsider his tactics now.

Dybala is quick, immensely talented on the ball and has a venomous shot, and there is no reason why he cannot pick up the No. 10 mantle from La Pulga as Argentina look to bounce back from disappointment with a positive reply in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. 

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A tough home clash against Uruguay on September 1 is followed by a trip to Venezuela five days later. Before 2016 is out, the Albiceleste will also visit Peru and Brazil as well as hosting Paraguay and Colombia. Those six matches will go a long way to deciding whether the nation will coast into a qualification place at Russia 2018 or whether a repeat of the agonising 2010 campaign is more likely. 

Ever since Dybala burst on to the scene at the tender age of 17 in Argentina's second-tier Nacional B, he has led his team with a maturity belying his years. He was Instituto's talisman as a teenager in 2011-12, as the Cordoba side enjoyed an electric campaign before just missing out on promotion behind fallen giants River Plate and Rosario Central. 

He then went on to form a fine partnership in the Sicilian capital with fellow Cordoba native Franco Vazquez and even took on the huge responsibility of replacing Carlos Tevez firmly in his stride. That calm under pressure will now be vital as he seeks to succeed possibly the only current Argentina star whose mystique outstrips even that of Carlitos. 

Diego Maradona, Ariel Ortega, Pablo Aimar, Juan Roman Riquelme and most recently Messi. Argentina have had an enviable line of talent over the last 30 years leading the team at No. 10. Now it is the turn of La Albiceleste's next great playmaker to show that his inclusion in the list is not mere hyperbole.

It will not be easy to replace a figure like the record-breaking Messi, but Dybala has the skills and, most importantly, the mental strength and confidence to become the Argentina orchestra's next great conductor. 

Follow Daniel on Twitter at @DanEdwardsGoal