Known by the nickname La Joya, Argentine forward Paulo Dybala debuted as a professional at age 17 with Instituto de Córdoba. Since that initial stint in the Argentine second division, his career has spanned over a decade across Italian football, including a lengthy tenure at Juventus and a transition to Roma that solidified his status in European club competition.
Early Professional Development
Born in 1993 in Laguna Larga, Dybala made his professional debut with Instituto Atlético Central Córdoba. During his time there, he participated in 40 matches and registered 17 goals. He set multiple domestic records during this period, becoming the youngest player to score for the club, surpassing marks previously held by Mario Kempes, and achieving the milestone of scoring two hat-tricks in a single season.
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In 2012, Dybala moved to Sicily to join US Città di Palermo for a transfer fee of 8.64 million euros. After debuting against Lazio, he found consistent form during the 2014–15 Serie A campaign. By the end of that season, he had recorded 13 goals and 10 assists, establishing himself as a significant creative and scoring presence within the league.
Success with Juventus
Dybala joined Juventus in 2015 on a five-year deal valued at 32 million euros. Over seven seasons, he secured five Serie A titles and four Coppa Italia trophies. His performance during the 2019–20 season resulted in him being named the Serie A Most Valuable Player. By the conclusion of his tenure in Turin, he had become the club's ninth-highest all-time goalscorer.
International Representation
Since his senior debut for the Argentina national team in 2015, Dybala has earned 40 caps. He has represented his country in several international tournaments, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 Copa América. His international career reached a peak in 2022 when he was part of the squad that secured the FIFA World Cup title.
Fast facts
- Full name: Paulo Exequiel Dybala
- Date of birth: 15 November 1993
- Birthplace: Laguna Larga, Argentina
- Citizenship: Argentina and Italy
- Professional debut: 2011
- Nickname: La Joya
- Primary position: Forward
Questions readers ask
Which major clubs has Paulo Dybala played for?
He has played for Instituto de Córdoba, Palermo, Juventus, and Roma.
Has Dybala won the FIFA World Cup?
Yes, he was a member of the Argentina team that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
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