Argentina icon Angel Di Maria determined to hold up his boots for the nationwide crew after lifting the 2024 Copa America trophy. Whereas he will certainly be missed, La Albiceleste have loads of younger expertise to look ahead to sooner or later.
In an unique interview with Clank!, Di Maria expressed optimism about the way forward for the nationwide crew. When requested a few potential successor, he highlighted Facundo Buonanotte as a promising newcomer.
“It’s laborious to match your self to anybody, we’re all very completely different. I actually like Facundo Buonanotte,” the Benfica participant stated. “He’s extremely gifted and is steadily attempting to depart his mark. It’s not straightforward to interrupt into the nationwide crew. He’s one of many gamers I actually like due to the way in which he performs and he may give so much to the crew going ahead,” he stated.
Buonanotte is nineteen years previous, and he performs as an attacking midfielder or winger for Leicester Metropolis. Throughout this season within the Premier League, he has performed 10 matches, scored three targets and supplied two assists to this point.
Facundo Buonanotte of Leicester in motion in the course of the Premier League match between Leicester Metropolis FC and Tottenham Hotspur (Michael Regan/Getty Photos)
He shared the pitch with Di Maria simply as soon as for Argentina, in a 3-0 win over El Salvador in Philadelphia in March 2024. Buonanotte got here on as a Twentieth-minute substitute and accomplished the match alongside Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez.
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Di Maria explains his resolution to retire from Argentina’s nationwide crew
Di Maria, 36, opened up about his resolution to retire from the nationwide crew. “When the World Cup ended, I form of had it deliberate, however I didn’t actually really feel it. It was like, ‘It’s higher to depart if issues go effectively’ and ‘if issues go unsuitable, I’ve already accomplished a cycle’, however after successful, you form of wish to stick with it a bit longer,” he stated.
“The Copa America wasn’t distant and I felt I may carry out and assist the younger gamers coming via. So, after the World Cup, I began saying it was going to be the Copa América and that was it. I grew to become increasingly satisfied of the choice and when the event got here round, I stated it was the appropriate time,” he concluded.
Di Maria’s numbers with the nationwide crew
Di María’s influence on Argentine soccer is simple. A World Cup champion, two-time Copa America winner, and Finalissima champion, he retires as one of many nation’s all-time greats. With 145 targets for his nation, together with essential strikes within the 2022 World Cup and 2021 Copa América finals, his legacy is cemented in soccer historical past.
