Paulo Dybala set to miss World Cup as Argentina ace suffers ‘very bad’ muscle injury while scoring penalty for Roma

TEARFUL Paulo Dybala could miss the World Cup after a freak injury when scoring Roma's penalty winner in their 2-1 victory over Lecce.

Roma boss Jose Mourinho believes the Argentina striker has a "very bad" muscle problem that might sideline him until 2023.

Ex-Juventus hero Dybala pulled up clutching the left leg he had used to stroke home his 48th minute spot-kick.

Team-mates who had rushed to congratulate him immediately changed their reaction to concern as he grimaced and continued to hold his thigh.

Dybala then hobbled off and was substituted straight away.

Mourinho said: "The injury looks very bad. I'd say bad, but honestly after speaking with Paulo... I think very bad".

Dybala is now expected to have medical checks on Monday, less than seven weeks before the World Cup starts in Qatar.

Ex-Manchester United defender Chris Smalling headed Roma in front early on.

And Lecce midfielder Mortan Hjulmand soon picked up a straight red card - via VAR - for a late challenge on Andrea Belotti.

But Gabriel Strefezza stunned Roma by smashing Lecce level.

Mourinho threw on ex-Chelsea hitman Tammy Abraham and Leonardo Spinazzola for the second period as Roma needed victory to go fifth in Serie A.

And on 48 minutes England hopeful Abraham was clipped by Kristoffer Askildsen, enabling Dybala to tuck home the decisive goal - as his last happy moment of the night.

It's just the latest injury problem for the 28-year-old, although until Sunday he appeared to be enjoying one of his best seasons for fitness.