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Angel Di Maria’s illustrious 16-year journey with Argentina’s national team has come to an emotional end. After Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Chile in a World Cup qualifier, Di Maria was honored in a touching ceremony at River Plate Stadium, surrounded by his family, teammates, and adoring fans. One of the most poignant moments of the night was a heartfelt video message from Lionel Messi, who paid tribute to his longtime friend and teammate.
Lionel Messi’s Emotional Message to Di Maria
Lionel Messi, who was unable to attend the ceremony due to injury, sent a deeply emotional video message that moved Di Maria to tears. In his tribute, Messi expressed the bond they shared during their time together in the national team:
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be here on this very special night for you. You know I’m trying to get better so I can come back. I wanted to be there, even with this video. I hope you enjoy this night with your family, your loved ones, and all the people of Argentina.”
Messi continued, highlighting their shared experiences and achievements:
“This tribute is so well deserved for everything you gave us. On a personal level, we told each other everything we had to say. Who would have thought about everything we went through on the national team, everything we experienced? Beyond everything, we ended up champions of everything. Enjoy it because you deserve it. We’re going to miss you a lot.”
This emotional message underlined the deep friendship between Messi and Di Maria, who spent their entire international careers playing together, sharing moments of triumph and adversity.
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Angel Di Maria’s Farewell Ceremony
At 36 years old, Di Maria retires with 145 caps and 31 goals for Argentina, making him one of the most celebrated players in the nation’s history. During his career, he played an instrumental role in Argentina’s major successes, including winning the 2022 World Cup, two Copa Americas, and an Olympic gold medal. His performances in crucial matches, such as scoring in the World Cup final alongside Messi, cemented his legacy as one of Argentina’s all-time greats.
During the farewell ceremony, Di Maria was visibly emotional. He was honored by his teammates, who donned special shirts featuring his iconic No.11. Di Maria, lifted into the air by his teammates, spoke about his transition from the field to being a fan of the national team:
“Now I’ll be just another fan, cheering the team on from up there. I’ll go to all the Copa Americas and World Cups. We will surely keep going this way because this team has a lot of guts.”
Looking Ahead: Messi Continues, Di Maria’s Legacy Lives On
While Di Maria has retired from international duty, Lionel Messi remains an integral part of the Argentina squad. Despite nursing a thigh injury, Messi is expected to return to action soon and is aiming to lead Argentina into the 2026 World Cup.
Di Maria’s legacy, however, will live on in the memories of his fans and teammates as he transitions into supporting Argentina from the stands.
As Messi said, Di Maria’s contributions to Argentina are unmatched, and though his boots are hung up, his impact on Argentine football will never be forgotten.
