Along with fellow World Cup winner Lionel Messi, who bid farewell to the Argentina national team, Messi sent an emotional retirement message to Angel Di Maria.
After gaining 145 caps for his nation, Di Maria, who scored with Messi in the Qatar 2022 final, is retiring from international play. He gracefully exited the game during the Copa America in 2024, having assisted the Albiceleste in winning another continental championship.
THE LARGER IMAGE
Messi has collaborated with Di Maria throughout his international career. The two enjoyed Olympic gold medal success in 2008 and shared a season with Paris Saint-Germain in 2021–2022. There has been discussion about their potential reunion at Inter Miami, an MLS team.
WHAT MESSI SAID
For now, Messi is recovering from injury in Florida – preventing him from heading to a Buenos Aires for an epic send off for Di Maria at Estadio Monumental – but he said in a video message for his close friend and colleague: “I’m sorry I couldn’t be here on this very special night for you, you know I’m trying to get better so I can come back. I wanted to be there, even with this video, and I hope you enjoy this night with your family, your loved ones and all the people of Argentina. This tribute is so well deserved for everything you gave us. On a personal level, we told each other everything we had to say. We were lucky enough to share a year together. Who would have thought about everything we went through in the national team, everything we experienced. Beyond everything we had to go through, we ended up champions of everything. Enjoy it because you deserve it, we’re going to miss you a lot.”
Next?
Messi is still an integral part of the Argentina lineup, even though Di Maria is hanging up his boots. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will not play in September’s World Cup qualifiers due to an ankle injury he sustained in the Copa America final in 2024, but it is expected that he will play in the FIFA World Cup final in 2026.
