Angel Di Maria of Argentina looks on in the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier game against Ecuador at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 7, 2023. /CFP
Veteran Argentina winger Angel Di Maria announced on Tuesday that he will retire from the national team after the Copa America in 2024.
"I will leave the Argentina national team after the Copa America. It's over for me, it will be the last tournament," the 35-year-old told Argentina radio Urbana Play 104.3.
Having made his national team debut in September 2008, Di Maria scored 29 goals and provided 29 assists for Argentina in 134 games. He participated in five editions of Copa America on behalf of his country between 2011 and 2021. They lost in the quarterfinals, two consecutive finals and the semifinals the first four times, but finally won the title in 2021 in Brazil. Di Maria scored the only goal in the final against Brazil.
Angel Di Maria (C) celebrates with teammates after Argentina's defeat of France to win the FIFA World Cup title at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, December 18, 2022. /CFP
"I said it many times to my family, the Copa America changed our lives forever," Di Maria said. "Because it was always getting there [to the finals] and losing it, until the day I came home and they told me 'this time you won it'."
In December 2022, Argentina won their third FIFA World Cup title in Qatar. Di Maria scored the team's second goal against France in the final.
"After being a world champion, people recognize you everywhere. I take my daughters to school in Portugal and there are children who are five or six years old and they tell me: 'You're a world champion.' That's the only thing they know about me," he said.
Angel Di Maria (C) of Argentina celebrates after helping his side beat Brazil to win the Copa America title at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 10, 2021. /CFP
Di Maria joined Benfica as a free agent in July. Sixteen years ago, he came to Europe and Lisbon-based club was his first stop. After that, he played for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, winning various trophies, including the UEFA Champions League title during the 2013-14 campaign with Real.
"I came to Benfica to maintain my options of being able to continue in the national team," Di Maria said. "I knew I had to play in a good team in order to be at a good level. I want to play in the next Copa America and I'm doing everything possible to be my best in my club and every time I play for Argentina."
The next Copa America will take place in the U.S. from June 20 to July 14, 2024.