Paulo Dybala Explains Why He Chose Childhood Jersey Number Ahead of the Iconic No.10 at Roma

• Paulo Dybala has shed light on why opted against wearing AS Roma's iconic No.10 jersey for the 2022-23 season
• The 28-year-old Argentina international has been handed jersey No. 21, a number he wore during his formative years
• Dybala could make his debut for AS Roma when the Giallorossi square off against Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, July 30

Paulo Dybala was offered AS Roma's iconic No.10 shirt however the Argentine playmaker declined the offer, opting for his childhood jersey number - 21.

Dybala inked a three-year deal to the Giallorossi following the expiration of his seven-year trophy-laden spell with Juventus, where he scored 115 goals across 292 matches.

He has already hit the ground running, linking up with his new teammates in pre-season as the club gears up for the 2022-23 season.

Following his unveiling as Roma's latest acquisition, Dybala was given the club's iconic No.10 which was last worn by the legendary Francesco Totti however, the 2020 Most Valuable Player in the Serie A declined the offer.

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"The director had suggested that I take 10, which is very important here for what Totti has done. That shirt must still be his. I thanked them because for such a shirt there must be respect and responsibility," he stated as quoted by GOAL.

"Maybe one day I'll wear it, but today I'm happy with 21. It's a number I'm tied to and with which I started to win."

Dybala will most likely miss Roma's pre-season game against OGC Nice but could make his debut against Tottenham, Mourinho's former club, next Saturday.

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported that former Juventus talisman Paulo Dybala has hit the ground running already after completing his free transfer to AS Roma.

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The Argentine playmaker penned a three-year deal to the Rome-based Serie A giants, ending his seven-year stint with Juventus.

In a video posted on Twitter, sighted by Sports Brief, the 28-year-old attacker has linked up with Roma teammates in Portugal as the Giallorossi prepares for the upcoming season.