There are footballers who score in the biggest games, and then there’s Ángel Di María, who has made a habit of deciding them. From the winning goal in the 2014 Champions League final to the strike that secured Argentina’s 2021 Copa América victory, his career is a collection of clutch moments that often get overlooked in the Messi-Ronaldo narrative, but this article cuts through the speculation to examine where Di María stands now — his unexpected Benfica departure, the real story behind his Argentina exit, and the personal dynamics with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo that fans still debate.
Date of birth: 14 February 1988 ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) ·
World Cup winner: 2022 ·
Champions League winner: 2014
Quick snapshot
- Won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, scoring in the final (Wikipedia entry)
- His exact cap count for Argentina: some sources say 141, others 145 (beIN SPORTS report)
- Announced Benfica exit on 2025-05-18; contract expires 2025-06-30 (The Athletic)
- Free agent as of July 2025; has said he hopes to play a few more years (SL Benfica official site)
Here is a quick overview of Di María’s key details.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ángel Fabián Di María |
| Date of birth | 14 February 1988 |
| Place of birth | Rosario, Argentina |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Playing position | Right winger / Left winger / Attacking midfielder |
| Preferred foot | Left |
| Current club (as of July 2025) | Free agent (last with Benfica) |
| Argentina caps | 141–145 (discrepancy reported) |
| Argentina goals | 31 |
| World Cup winner | 2022 |
| Champions League winner | 2014 |
Has Di María retired?
No — but the timeline has become layered. Di María has not retired from club football. In fact, he only just concluded his second spell at Benfica, where his contract ran until 30 June 2025, as confirmed by Transfermarkt. He announced in a farewell interview published by SL Benfica official site that he still feels capable of performing at a high level and hopes to play for a few more years. However, he has retired from international duty with Argentina, stepping away after the 2024 Copa América final.
Di Maria’s current playing status
As of July 2025, the 37-year-old is a free agent. The Argentine confirmed on 18 May 2025 that he would leave Benfica at the end of the season, a report first published by The Athletic (New York Times). His farewell match was expected to be the Portuguese Cup final.
I think I’m still capable of playing at a high level. I want to play for a few more years, depending on how I feel.
— Ángel Di María, in farewell interview with SL Benfica
Retirement rumors and facts
- Rumor: Di María retired from football completely. False. He continues to seek a club. (SL Benfica official site)
- Rumor: He retired from Argentina because of injury. False. He chose to step aside for younger players. (Wikipedia entry)
- Fact: He announced his international retirement in October 2023, effective after the 2024 Copa América, per Wikipedia entry.
Di María is not retiring — he is reloading. For the club that signs him, the question is whether a 37-year-old with 32 goals in 85 appearances across his second Benfica stint can still produce at the top level. His own answer is a clear yes.
Why is Di Maria not playing for Argentina?
He is not playing for Argentina because he has retired from international football. This decision was not a surprise: Di María announced in October 2023 that he would step away after the 2024 Copa América. He followed through, playing his last match for the Albiceleste in the final of that tournament — a game in which he also scored, as reported by The18, citing a Reuters report.
International retirement announcement
According to Wikipedia entry, Di María’s decision was driven by a desire to leave the national team at the peak — after winning the World Cup in 2022 and the Copa América in 2024. He said he wanted to make way for younger players rather than risk a decline in form. For more on his retirement timeline, see our article Ángel Di María Retires from Argentina: Career & Awards.
Age and team transition
At 37, Di María was among the oldest players in Argentina’s squad. Lionel Scaloni, the Argentina manager, has been systematically integrating younger forwards like Julián Álvarez and Alejandro Garnacho. Di María’s departure accelerates that transition, but it leaves a gap in big-game experience that the squad has yet to fill.
Argentina’s attack now lacks its most reliable final-winner. In three consecutive finals — the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa América — Di María scored the decisive goal in each. No other Argentine player has that record.
The implication: For Argentina, replacing Di María’s goals is less pressing than replacing his composure in finals. The next generation of attackers will have to prove they can deliver under the same pressure.
Are Messi and Di Maria friends?
Yes — and the evidence is visible in every major Argentina celebration since 2021. The two developed their bond over years in the national team, often sharing rooms and representing Argentina at youth levels before graduating to the senior side.
On-field chemistry
The most famous example is the 2022 World Cup final. Di María’s goal, set up by a sequence involving Messi, is the iconic moment of their partnership. They have combined for multiple crucial goals, including in the 2021 Copa América final where Di María scored the winner from a Messi assist.
Off-field relationship
Messi and Di María are known to be close. They have been photographed together on vacation and with their families. In interviews, Di María has referred to Messi as a brother. However, Messi’s closest friend in football is widely considered to be Luis Suárez, his former Barcelona teammate. Di María sits in the second tier of Messi’s inner circle, alongside fellow Argentines like Leandro Paredes.
Messi’s closest friends
The question of who Messi considers his enemy is simpler: his long-standing rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo during their La Liga years defined an era. While the two have since expressed mutual respect, the competitive tension remains part of football folklore. Di María, who played with both, has a unique perspective on that rivalry.
The catch: Messi and Di María’s friendship is genuine, but it’s also functional. On the pitch, they share an almost telepathic understanding that has produced the three most important goals in Argentina’s recent history. Off it, they are family men who built a bond through shared pressure.
What did Di Maria say about Ronaldo?
Di María played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2014, winning the 2014 Champions League together. His public comments about Ronaldo are measured and respectful, but they leave little doubt about where he stands in the Messi-Ronaldo debate.
Praise for Ronaldo’s professionalism
In multiple interviews, Di María has called Ronaldo a phenomenal professional and a fantastic teammate. He has highlighted Ronaldo’s work ethic, dedication to training, and winning mentality as traits he admired during their time at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Comparison between Ronaldo and Messi
Di María has been unequivocal: he considers Lionel Messi the best player he has ever seen. “Messi is the best. I’ve played with both, I know what they can do,” he has said in interviews. He respects Ronaldo’s achievements but places Messi on a different tier. This aligns with the view of most Argentine footballers who played alongside both.
For Ronaldo fans, Di María’s preference might feel like a slight. But context matters: Di María and Messi share a nationality and a generational mission to win a World Cup for Argentina. The bond is patriotic as much as personal. Ronaldo, by contrast, was a club colleague — respected but not a compatriot.
The pattern: Di María’s loyalty to Messi never wavers in public, even when asked directly about Ronaldo. He navigates the comparison by praising Ronaldo’s professionalism while reserving his highest praise for Messi’s natural talent.
Why do Manchester United fans not like Di María?
The relationship between Di María and Manchester United’s fanbase is one of the most strained in modern Premier League memory. It is rooted in a record transfer fee, disappointing performances, and an off-field incident that affected his family.
High transfer fee and expectations
Manchester United signed Di María from Real Madrid in August 2014 for £59.7 million — a British transfer record at the time, as widely reported by Wikipedia entry. The expectation was that a Champions League winner and Argentina star would transform United’s attack.
Poor form and injuries
Di María scored just four goals in 32 appearances for United. He struggled with the pace of the Premier League, suffered injuries, and never found consistency under Louis van Gaal. His performances fell short of the record fee.
Off-field incident (burglary)
In January 2015, Di María’s family home in Cheshire was burgled while his wife and daughter were inside. The incident terrified his family and, by his own account, affected his focus and desire to remain in England. He later said the burglary was a major factor in his decision to leave.
Short tenure at the club
After just one season, Di María forced a move to Paris Saint-Germain, joining for £44 million. United fans felt betrayed by his lack of commitment and his subsequent success at PSG, where he rediscovered his form. The narrative of a player who “didn’t want to be at United” became cemented.
The trade-off: Manchester United fans have a point about the fee and the output. But Di María’s perspective — that a home invasion made England untenable for his family — is a human factor that statistics don’t capture. The real failure was a mismatch of expectations on both sides.
Related reading: Ángel Di María Retires from Argentina: Career & Awards
beinsports.com, es.wikipedia.org, thedailystar.net, beinsports.com, transfermarkt.de, the18.com, ground.news, politikjournal.se
Frequently asked questions
What is Di Maria’s net worth?
Estimated at around $50–60 million, accumulated from club salaries at Real Madrid, PSG, Juventus, and Benfica, plus endorsements.
How many goals has Di Maria scored in his career?
As of July 2025, he has scored over 230 club goals and 31 goals for Argentina across all competitions.
Which clubs has Di Maria played for?
Rosario Central, Benfica (two spells), Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Juventus.
Did Di Maria win the Ballon d’Or?
No. He was nominated multiple times but never won the award. His highest finish was 10th place.
What is Di Maria’s playing position?
Primarily a winger on either flank. He is left-footed and often starts on the right to cut inside, but he can also play as an attacking midfielder.
Is Di Maria left-footed?
Yes. He is naturally left-footed, which makes his ability to play on both wings unusual for a winger of his profile.
How many children does Di Maria have?
Two daughters: Mia and Pía. He is married to Jorgelina Cardoso.
For European clubs looking to add experience to their attack, the calculation is straightforward: Di María delivered 32 goals and 85 appearances in his second Benfica stint, and his track record in finals is unmatched among active players. For Argentina, the implication is clear: prepare for a future without the unsung hero who turned three finals into three trophies, or find a younger player who can replicate his composure under the highest pressure.
George Thompson is Senior Reporter at UrbanMixr.uk, covering breaking culture, lifestyle and general news stories across the UK.