With goals from Julián Álvarez and Lionel Messi, Argentina beat Canada 2-0 on Tuesday and qualified for the Copa América grand final. The final of the continental competition will mark Ángel Di María’s last match for the Argentine national team. The 36-year-old forward had already publicly announced that the tournament held in the United States would be his last with the Argentines. When talking about his farewell match, the player was in tears and emphasized that he had always honored the Albiceleste jersey.
“I hope to finish in the best way possible. Whatever happens in the final, I think I will leave through the front door. I did everything I could to leave in this way. I do the job I have to do and I always try to give my best. I gave my life for this shirt. There were some things that didn’t go well, but lately they have been happening,” said Di María, in tears after the game against Canada.
One more and we’re done!! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/QIMQxVRMc1
— 🇦🇷 Argentina National Team ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) July 10, 2024
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he would try to convince the striker to stay with the national team. However, Di Maria assured that his decision had been made and that now was the time to stop.
“I’m not ready for my last game with the national team, but it’s time. I dreamed about this and it’s what I achieved, reaching another final. My teammates know that there’s no turning back, that my decision has been made. They support the decision I made. There’s only one game left and it’s what I wanted. I was in a position to continue, but I think this is the perfect time, it’s decided. I gave everything I had to give”, concluded the player.
Di María has played 144 games for the Argentine national team, scoring 31 goals. The striker won the Copa América in 2021, as well as the Finals and the World Cup in 2022.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
