This summer's Euro and Copa America tournaments were filled with legends bidding farewell to their national teams, often with a tinge of regret, like Germany's Kroos and Müller. But for Ángel Di María, his departure was marked by triumph. In the recently concluded Copa America final, Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 in extra time thanks to Lautaro Martínez's decisive goal, marking Di María's last match for La Albiceleste.
At 36, Di María's career with the Argentine national team began in September 2008 during a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay. Over 16 years, he amassed 145 caps, scored 31 goals, and provided 32 assists. He won the Copa America, World Cup, Finalissima, and an Olympic gold medal with Argentina.
For Argentine football, Di María has always been a lucky charm. Back in the 2008 Olympics, he scored the decisive goal in the final, earning Argentina a gold medal. His consistent performance in critical moments earned him a reputation, with some fans even elevating him over Messi in key matches. Di María's importance to the national team cannot be overstated.
In the 2021 Copa America, Di María became Argentina's super-sub. His incisive runs and unpredictable dribbling often left defenders scrambling. In the final against Brazil, Scaloni decided to start him, and Messi told Di María, "This is your final, the one you missed before, today is your day." Di María scored the only goal of the match and was named the man of the match.
On June 1, 2022, in the Finalissima against Italy, Di María once again started and scored a beautiful chip after receiving a pass from Lautaro, helping Argentina win another trophy. Then came the historic 2022 World Cup final. Despite injury concerns, Di María started, won a penalty, and scored a goal, playing a crucial role in Argentina's victory over France.
By lifting the World Cup, Di María completed his collection of major titles with Argentina, having won the 2007 U-20 World Cup, 2008 Olympics, 2021 Copa America, 2022 Finalissima, and the 2022 World Cup. He also became the first player in history to score in the finals of the Olympics, continental championships, and the World Cup. After 17 years of dedication, Di María added another Copa America title to his name this year, making his farewell even more perfect. As he leaves, his contributions and legacy will be remembered with great respect and admiration. Ángel Di María, you truly deserve the fans' eternal gratitude!
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