Di Maria honoured by teammates, Messi pays heartfelt tribute
His teammates celebrated by tossing him into the air, a fitting tribute to the legend who had announced his decision to step away from the national team just days before.
Ángel Di Maria was honoured by his teammates after Argentina's World Cup Qualifier victory over Chile, marking his retirement from international football.
His teammates celebrated by tossing him into the air, a fitting tribute to the legend who had announced his decision to step away from the national team just days before.
Before the match, Di Maria received a heartfelt tribute from the fans while accompanied by his family. Reflecting on his departure, Di Maria said: "Now I'll be just another fan, cheering the team on from up there."
"I'll go to all the Copa Américas and World Cups."
"We will surely keep going this way because this team has a lot of guts."
Lionel Messi also shared a deeply emotional message for Di Maria, reflecting on their time together on the pitch:
"I hope you enjoy this evening a lot with your family and loved ones."
"We've said everything we needed to say."
"We shared so much, and who would have thought it would end this way? We'll miss you a lot. See you soon."
Di Maria's legacy will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on Argentine football, and he departs with the respect and admiration of both fans and teammates alike.