DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Paulo Dybala posted a photograph of himself on Instagram laughing alongside together with his Argentina teammate Lionel Messi, with the accompanying phrases: “We stock on with a smile! Let’s go.”Argentina may be getting ever nearer to a spot within the World Cup last however, on a purely private stage, the event has been nothing a lot to snort about for Dybala.The Roma playmaker hasn’t performed a minute in Qatar, regardless of the accidents afflicting Argentina on its turbulent run to the quarterfinals and the declining type of ahead Lautaro Martinez.So what’s the cope with Dybala, a participant affectionately often called La Joya (or “The Jewel”) and a standout in Italian soccer at his greatest?His largest obstacle is Lionel Messi himself. Dybala’s most well-liked place is within the No. 10 place or the roving position off the striker — which occurs to be the place Argentina’s celebrity is greatest deployed.Given there’s no manner a wholesome Messi is getting dropped, Dybala needs to be moved into one other place that doesn’t essentially go well with his recreation.Then there’s the thigh harm that nearly value him a spot in Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni’s squad for the World Cup. It was sustained when he transformed a late, profitable penalty for Roma in early October and led to him lacking eight video games for his membership.Dybala returned for Roma’s final recreation earlier than the World Cup, convincing Scaloni that he was wholesome sufficient to be included within the 26-man squad.The coach insists that health issues aren’t the explanation why Dybala has but to play on the World Cup.“If he’s out, it’s solely a tactical choice,” Scaloni mentioned throughout the group stage. “Paulo is ok, he’s supporting the group from the skin. Clearly, he wish to play extra.”That a lot could be mentioned about his total worldwide profession.Dybala is 29 and has performed 34 video games — usually instead — for Argentina since his debut in 2015, which doesn’t appear many for a participant of his expertise.The final of his three targets for the Albiceleste got here as a late substitute within the 3-0 win over Italy within the Finalissima — a recreation between the European and South American champions — in London in June.And his solely recreation time at a World Cup was in 2018, as a 68th-minute substitute within the 3-0 loss to Croatia within the group stage. Argentina finally exited within the spherical of 16 in opposition to France.There’s a probability Dybala might see some motion in opposition to the Netherlands within the quarterfinals on Friday, although.Ángel Di María was injured in opposition to Poland within the last group recreation and Papu Gómez, who changed Di Maria within the 2-1 win over Australia within the spherical of 16, got here off in that match with some discomfort in his ankle.Based on Argentine media, neither Di María nor Gómez skilled with the remainder of the squad on Monday, as an alternative doing restoration work individually.Which may depart a spot within the entrance three up for grabs in opposition to the Dutch.Quoted in Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport on Monday, Dybala spoke of the “sacrifice” he made to get wholesome once more after the pre-tournament harm.“I used to be scared as a result of I knew that there was little time obtainable to recuperate and the harm was critical,” Dybala mentioned. “They have been days of nice effort by which I used to be capable of dedicate little time to my household and my girlfriend, however the dream of recovering was too huge.”Accumulating a World Cup winner’s medal would make that sacrifice worthwhile. Dybala, one in all three outfield gamers but to function to date within the event, would identical to to play an lively position alongside the best way.___Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80___