By Joiner Martinez
05 Sep 2024, 21:43 PM EDT
Footballer Ángel di María, who retired from Argentina after the Copa América, was honored at the Monumental in Buenos Aires before the match with Chile.
He thanked his teammates and family and said that he is now “just another fan.”
‘El Fideo’ wore the Albiceleste jersey for 16 years, starting with the youth teams and being crowned world champion and twice Copa América champion with the senior team.
After triumphing at this year’s Copa America in the United States, Di María, 36, put an end to a journey that, while it culminated in multiple successes, also had difficult moments. “They taught me to keep fighting,” said the former Real Madrid, PSG and United player to his teammates in front of thousands of fans who applauded him.
She also thanked her family for “their love and support when things didn’t go well” and for “putting up with everything they put up with during these years until they had all the joys.”
He was referring to the criticism he received over the years for injuries that kept him out of important matches at times when the Albiceleste were not achieving great victories. “Now I am just another fan, now I will be up there with my family,” he added, visibly moved and pointing towards the stands.
The fans, accustomed to seeing their idol with the number 11 on his back, said goodbye to Di María, who today wore jeans and a white jacket, with shouts of ‘Fideo, Fideo’.
Messi sent a message to Di Maria
Lionel Messi was present. He could not do so in full body, as he is in Miami recovering from the ligament injury he suffered in the Copa America final, but he did so through a video in which he left a heartfelt message.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be there on such a special night for you. I’m here trying to get well so I can come back. I wanted to be there, even if it was just with this video. I hope you enjoy this night a lot, with your family, your loved ones, and all the people of Argentina who are paying you this tribute that is more than deserved for everything you gave us, everything you did,” the captain prefaced in front of the camera.
🚨🚨 The legend of Messi is his goodbye to Di Maria:
«I hope you appreciate this beautiful night with your family and friends.
Nous avons dit tout ce que nous avions à dire, nous avons tellement partagé, et qui aurait thought que cela se terminarait ainsi? You… pic.twitter.com/dIbZXISGSw
— INTER MIAMI FR (@IntermiamiFR_) September 5, 2024
“On a personal level, we told each other everything we had to say. We were lucky enough to share a year – at PSG – to be together every day, to drink a lot of mate, to talk a lot. And who would have said that everything would end this way after everything we went through in the National Team, what we experienced? Beyond the fact that we always enjoyed being in the National Team, that we wanted to be there, in the very hard times, who would have said that we would end this way, winning everything we won and being world champions. Enjoy it because you deserve it. We will miss you very much, I love you very much and I always wish you the best. I send you a big kiss and greetings to all of Argentina. See you soon. Bye,” concluded the star.
Continue reading:
“Ángel Di María: Breaking the Wall”, the documentary that Netflix will release about the Argentine footballer
Lionel Scaloni surrenders to Angel di Maria: “He is one of the best in history”
Argentina will pay tribute to Di María in the duel against Chile