NEW DELHI: Argentina winger Angel Di Maria celebrated a perfect dream ending to his international career by winning the Copa America against Colombia.
The 1-0 victory after extra-time secured Argentina’s third straight major title, following their 2021 Copa America win and their World Cup triumph the next year. The 36-year-old announced his retirement from international duty in November, intending this tournament to be his last.
"I dreamt it, that's why I said it was the last Copa America and it ended here. I dreamt that I would reach the final, I dreamt that I would win it, that I would retire like this," Di Maria was quoted as saying by AFP after the game.
In the final moments of extra-time, Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni substituted Di Maria, allowing him to receive an emotional farewell from the fans. The veteran winger was visibly moved by the moment.
"I have so many beautiful feelings... I am eternally grateful to this generation. They gave me everything, they made me achieve what I wanted so much, and today I am leaving in this way. How better than this?" he reflected.
Di Maria has been a stalwart for the national team, alongside Lionel Messi, ever since they won the Olympics in 2008. Despite their early successes, the team often struggled in subsequent tournaments, frequently falling short in the final stages.
However, the 'Triple Crown'—including the record 16th Copa America title—solidifies Lionel Scaloni's team's status among South American football greats.
"It seems easy but it is very difficult. I know because I lived on the other side too for ten, eleven years, fighting for it," said Di Maria, who currently plays for Benfica.
"It's not easy to reach finals and win them. And now it's happening. At some point it had to happen and I would have liked to have been able to win one too with the previous bunch of lads. We deserved it too, but we kept insisting, kept fighting, and these guys gave me everything," he added.
