Di Maria to quit internationals after Copa America
Published: 04:11 PM,Nov 24,2023 | EDITED : 08:11 PM,Nov 24,2023
Argentina's midfielder #11 Angel Di Maria (R) holds the FIFA World Cup Trophy as he speaks to Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi (L) following the trophy ceremony after Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022. The American and world champion Angel Di Maria announced on November 23, 20223 that he will leave the Argentine football team after playing the 2024 Copa America in the United States. "With all the pain in my soul and feeling a lump in my throat, I say goodbye to the most beautiful thing that happened to me in my career", said "Fideo" Di Maria, 35, in a message published on the social network Instagram. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)
BUENOS AIRES: Argentina forward Angel Di Maria will retire from international football following next year's Copa America, the 35-year-old said on Thursday after representing his country for 15 years.
Di Maria has made 136 appearances for world champions Argentina since his debut in 2008, playing in four World Cups and scoring in the 2022 final win over France.
He will take part in his sixth Copa America at the June 20-July 14 tournament in the United States, where Argentina will bid to successfully defend their continental title.
'The Copa America will be the last time I wear the Argentina shirt,' Di Maria wrote on his Instagram account.
'With all the pain in my soul and feeling a lump in my throat, I say goodbye to the most beautiful thing that happened to me in my career.
'I can't express in words how much the cheering of the fans has filled my soul in this last match, I enjoyed every second of with my team mates and friends,' he added, referring to his last World Cup qualifier in which Argentina beat Brazil.
Di Maria rejoined Portuguese champions Benfica this year, the club he played for between 2007 and 2010 when he first arrived in Europe.
The winger also played for Real Madrid, Paris St Germain, Juventus and Manchester United. -- Reuters
Di Maria has made 136 appearances for world champions Argentina since his debut in 2008, playing in four World Cups and scoring in the 2022 final win over France.
He will take part in his sixth Copa America at the June 20-July 14 tournament in the United States, where Argentina will bid to successfully defend their continental title.
'The Copa America will be the last time I wear the Argentina shirt,' Di Maria wrote on his Instagram account.
'With all the pain in my soul and feeling a lump in my throat, I say goodbye to the most beautiful thing that happened to me in my career.
'I can't express in words how much the cheering of the fans has filled my soul in this last match, I enjoyed every second of with my team mates and friends,' he added, referring to his last World Cup qualifier in which Argentina beat Brazil.
Di Maria rejoined Portuguese champions Benfica this year, the club he played for between 2007 and 2010 when he first arrived in Europe.
The winger also played for Real Madrid, Paris St Germain, Juventus and Manchester United. -- Reuters