(Reuters) – Angel Di Maria, the forward for Argentina, announced on Thursday that he will be retiring from international football after next year’s Copa America. This decision comes after representing his country for a remarkable 15 years.
Since his debut in 2008, Di Maria has made 136 appearances for world champions Argentina, participating in four World Cups and scoring in the 2022 final win over France. He is set to play in his sixth Copa America at the upcoming tournament, which will take place from June 20 to July 14 in the United States, where Argentina will aim to defend their continental title.
“The Copa America will be the last time I wear the Argentina shirt,” said Di Maria on his Instagram account. He continued, “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.”
Di Maria also expressed gratitude for the cheering of the fans and the enjoyment he experienced during his last World Cup qualifier, where Argentina beat Brazil. The 35-year-old has rejoined Portuguese champions Benfica this year, the club where he played from 2007 to 2010 when he first arrived in Europe.
In addition to Benfica, Di Maria has also played for Real Madrid, Paris St Germain, Juventus, and Manchester United.
Di Maria concluded his message by saying that he cannot express in words how much the cheering of the fans has meant to him, and that he enjoyed every second with his teammates and friends.
The news, reported by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City and edited by Ed Osmond, has significant implications for Argentina’s national football team as they bid farewell to a long-standing and influential player.
