Argentina winger Angel Di Maria has announced that the upcoming Copa America next year will mark his final appearance representing his country.
Di Maria made this known in a statement shared on his Instagram page on Thursday.
The statement, written in Spanish, said, “Well, the last qualifying match has arrived for me. I cannot express in words how much the applause from the people in this recent time fills my soul.
“I enjoy every second of that affection and the love from my teammates. They are my friends; without them, this story wouldn’t have the same meaning. The affection I received from each of them also made me who I am today.
“Unfortunately, we cannot overlook the events that occurred in the stadium. No one deserves that mistreatment, neither the blows nor families and frightened children in the midst of a stadium where the only thing that should have happened is watching and enjoying a match within the folklore of football.
Hopefully, these kinds of things won’t happen again. As players, we will always, always defend our people without a doubt.
“The Copa America will be the last time I wear the Argentine jersey. With a heavy heart and a lump in my throat, I bid farewell to the most beautiful thing that happened to me in my career: wearing it, sweating it, and feeling it with all my pride.
“Thanks to the fans, thanks to my family, and thanks to friends and teammates from the national team. We continue making history, and that will remain for all eternity. Vamos Argentina carajo!”
Di María helped propel Argentina to a World Cup title in 2022 with two goals in the final and has been with the senior national team since 2008.
He also scored the game-winning goal for Argentina in the 2008 Olympic gold medal game.
Di Maria has represented his country in four FIFA World Cups and four Copa América tournaments, alongside international superstar Lionel Messi. Messi and Di Maria were also teammates for a single season at PSG.
