There is no such thing as a doubt that Ángel Di María is among the many greatest legends within the historical past of the Argentina Nationwide Crew. His decisive targets in finals—in opposition to Nigeria on the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Brazil within the 2021 Copa América, Italy within the 2022 Finalissima, and France within the 2022 World Cup in Qatar—place him proper subsequent to Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
Nevertheless, in true humble vogue, Di María doesn’t take into account himself one of many high 5 best gamers in Albiceleste historical past. Talking with La Nación, he acknowledged: “For me, the highest three are Messi, Maradona, and Kempes. Then I feel Passarella must be considered one of them. And after that, De Paul, who has been a basic piece of this nationwide group venture.”
Di María additionally emphasised the significance of Rodrigo De Paul, who now performs for Inter Miami, within the success of Lionel Scaloni’s group. “The life he introduced again to the squad! As folks say, he’s not solely the engine on the pitch but in addition off it—throughout the group, in friendships, in that optimistic environment. With out carrying the armband, he’s nonetheless a captain,” mentioned Fideo.
In response, De Paul took to Instagram to thank Di María: “It means loads that you just, the one who scored in all of the finals, would say that—and that you just’re humble sufficient to not embrace your self.” To which Di María replied warmly: “I like you. Hold having fun with your self.”
Di María’s plea for Messi to play in 2026
Together with his voice carrying large weight in Argentine soccer, Di María brazenly requested that Lionel Messi be a part of the squad for the 2026 World Cup in america, Mexico, and Canada.
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“It doesn’t matter what situation he’s in, Leo should play the World Cup. It’s him, and he makes the group develop whereas holding the folks’s hope alive. He’s like Diego—gamers from one other planet. We now have to maintain having fun with him, and hopefully he will get there in the most effective form doable,” he declared.
Watching Messi within the MLS
Presently taking part in for Rosario Central, Di María admitted that he now follows Main League Soccer matches simply to observe his lifelong pal: “He’s an alien; we will’t miss the possibility to maintain watching him. I had by no means watched the MLS earlier than, however now I’ve subscribed simply to see Inter Miami video games—solely as a result of Messi is there, as a result of I wish to preserve watching him.”
