Di Maria retires from playing for his national team.

In the world of soccer, there are few teams as iconic as Argentina. And when you think of the powerhouse behind the team, there are two names that immediately come to mind: Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria. While Messi may be known as the brains of the team, Di Maria is undoubtedly the heart. Throughout his long and illustrious career, he has donned the Argentine shirt with pride and has consistently proven himself as one of the best players to ever wear it.

This past Monday, in the Copa America final, Di Maria played his last game for La Albiceleste. And what a way to go out it was. The forward had always dreamed of winning the Copa America and retiring in this fashion, and it seemed that fate was on his side. In a post-match interview, Di Maria expressed his gratitude towards his generation of teammates for helping him achieve his ultimate goal. He couldn't even put into words the multitude of emotions he was feeling.

It's truly difficult to quantify Di Maria's contributions to the team. At 36 years old, he may have flown under the radar at times, but he was always there when the team needed him most. He scored crucial goals in the 2021 Copa America, 2022 Finalissima, and the 2022 World Cup final. He also holds the third-highest number of appearances for the national team, only behind the legendary duo of Messi and Javier Mascherano.

Reflecting on his final game, Di Maria couldn't have asked for a better ending. As he put it, "what could be better than to end like this?" He acknowledged the difficulties and challenges the team had faced in the past three years but also recognized that this was their moment. And it truly was a moment to savor, as they went on to become the record-winners of the competition with 16 titles to their name.

But it wasn't an easy road to victory for Argentina. In the final, they faced their toughest challenge yet when Messi was forced to leave the field due to an ankle injury. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was in tears, but the team rallied and pushed through to score the winning goal in the 112th minute through Lautaro Martinez. It was a testament to the team's resilience and determination, and it solidified their place in history as one of the greatest teams to ever grace the field. And at the heart of it all was the beloved Angel Di Maria, whose unwavering dedication and passion for his country will always be remembered.

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