Ángel Di María’s retirement: 2024 Copa America
Ángel Di María’s retirement is very close, and the Argentine player has already announced the date of his farewell.
In the Brazil vs. Argentina match, following the Argentinians’ 1-0 victory as visitors against Brazil at the Maracanã in the sixth round of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Ángel Di María was carried on shoulders by his teammates and cheered by the fans in the stadium.
Undoubtedly, the situation had a clear farewell atmosphere, and the Benfica player himself confirmed it with a post on his social media.
“Well, the last qualifying match has arrived for me. I cannot express in words how much the ovation from the people fills my soul in this recent time. I enjoy every second of that affection and that of my teammates; they, my friends, without them, this story would not have the same meaning.
Ángel Di María’s retirement: ¿?
But Ángel Di María’s retirement is not here yet, and he will give an opportunity to see him and enjoy the best moment to do so in an official tournament.
“The affection from each of them also made me who I am today. Unfortunately, we cannot overlook the events that occurred in the stadium; no one deserves such mistreatment, not the blows, families, and scared children in the middle of a stadium where the only thing that should have happened is watching and enjoying a match within the folklore of football. Hopefully, these kinds of things do not happen again,” Di María said in a social media post.
But this was only a prelude to the announcement of Ángel Di María’s retirement, one of the leaders of the championship-winning team.
“We, as players, will always defend our people without a doubt. The Copa America will be the last time I wear the Argentine shirt. With a heavy heart and feeling a lump in my throat, I say goodbye to the most beautiful thing that happened to me in my career, wearing it, sweating it, and feeling it with all the pride. Thanks, fans, thanks family, thanks friends and teammates, we continue making history, and that will remain for all eternity. Let’s go, Argentina, damn it!”
During the recent clash at the Maracanã, there were emotions and controversies from start to finish. From the incidents at the beginning that delayed the start of the match by 30 minutes to the press conference at the end where Lionel Scaloni surprised everyone and hinted at his departure from the position, everything happened.
Moreover, while Scaloni was questioning his continuity, the players improvised a brief tribute that had a huge impact off the field.
“Fideo is not leaving!” shouted his teammates and the fans in the stands in Rio de Janeiro repeatedly. In front of them, the players shared the same joy and gave the center stage to one of the team’s greatest idols. Leandro Paredes carried him on his shoulders, and other team members joined in the celebration.
Everything indicates that Ángel Di María’s retirement will be at the 2024 Copa America to be held in the United States.
Di Maria has 123 caps for the national team, 29 goals, and 33 assists, in addition to a World Cup and a Copa America.
Also read: The South American qualifiers in the sixth round.