Argentina star Angel Di Maria to retire from international football after 2024 Copa America
Argentina winger Angel Di Maria announced on Thursday that he will end his international career after the 2024 Copa America in the United States.
Since his debut in 2008, Di Maria has made 136 appearances for Argentina, appearing in four World Cups and scoring in the 2022 final victory over France.
Angel Di Maria played in Argentina’s recent 1-0 victory over arch-rivals Brazil at the Maracaná, coming on in the 78th minute to replace captain Lionel Messi in what was Brazil’s first-ever home defeat in Conmebol World Cup qualifiers. It was at the Maracaná in 2021 that Di Maria created history with his country, scoring the game-winning goal to defeat Brazil in the Copa America final. As a member of Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina side, the experienced forward helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“I can’t express in words how much the ovation [against Brazil] has filled my soul,” Di Mara wrote on his social media accounts. “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. The affection of each and every one of them made me who I am today.
Di Maria returned to Portuguese champions Benfica this year, the club he previously played for in Europe between 2007 and 2010. The winger has also played for Real Madrid, PSG, Juventus, and Manchester United.
“Unfortunately, we can’t let the events that took place in the stadium happen, nobody deserves that treatment, nor the beatings. Families and children were scared in the middle of a stadium where the only thing that should have happened was to watch and enjoy a match. Hopefully, this kind of thing won’t happen again. We as players will always defend our fans.
“The Copa América will be the last time I wear the Argentina shirt, 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, wearing it, sweating in it and feeling it with all my pride.
“Thank you fans, thank you, family, thank you, friends and teammates, we continue to make history.”