He played his last match with Argentina on July 15th with a new title at stake. A little less than two months after this victory against Colombia (1-0, aet) in the Copa America final, Angel Di Maria (36 years old, 145 caps, 31 goals) was celebrated by the Monumental stadium, Thursday before the victory against Chile (3-0) as part of the qualifications for the 2026 World Cup. Very moved, the former Parisian entered the pitch accompanied by his wife and two daughters. They then watched the broadcast of a video retracing his highlights, his goals and his titles with the Albiceleste.
Messi’s tribute
Lionel Messi, injured and absent for this match, sent him his thoughts in this video. “I am sorry I cannot be present at this special evening for you,” confided the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. “I hope you enjoy this evening, with your family, your loved ones. This well-deserved tribute that you have for everything you have given us, on a personal level. At the national level, we told each other everything we had to tell each other. We were lucky to share a year together. Who was going to say everything we experienced in the national team, everything we experienced, we ended up being champions of everything. I will miss you very much.”
Moved to tears by singer Abel Pintos’ rendition of his song “Ne m’oublie pas,” Fideo received a souvenir plaque from Argentine FA President Claudio Tapia and a replica Copa América medal. He then gave a speech to the team, whose players all wore jerseys honoring his number 11.
“I was lucky to play with several generations, I was lucky to have great players by my side,” he said. “We were unlucky not to be able to achieve anything in those years and lucky to win with the guys who share this moment with me today. That’s why I don’t want to forget those who also passed through here and who taught me to keep fighting, to do a lot of things to be able to continue to be here. Thanks to them for what they did, what they taught me in my career.” Di Maria was then carried in triumph by his teammates. He leaves the Albiceleste with five titles including a World Cup (2022), two Copa America (2021, 2024), a Finalissima (2022) and the 2008 Olympics.
- RMC Sport
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