Ángel Di María

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Di María debuted for Argentina internationally in 2008. Playing for the country's Olympic team at the 2008 Olympic Games, Di María scored the winning goal against Nigeria in the final to win Argentina their second successive Olympic gold medal in football. He has 145 caps for his country, including appearing in ten major tournaments; he featured in four FIFA World Cups for Argentina; helping his country reach the final in 2014 and win its third World Cup in 2022, scoring the second goal in the final. Furthermore, Di María was also part of the Argentina squads that reached four Copa América finals, in 2015, 2016, 2021 and 2024, winning the latter two; he netted the only goal in the 2021 final to win Argentina their first trophy in 28 years. He retired from the national team after winning the 2024 Copa América final.

In Their Own Story

The path to glory was not linear. Di María played through four FIFA World Cups and reached four Copa América finals, enduring the heartbreak of the 2014 loss and the near-misses in 2015 and 2016. The turning point came in 2021. In the final against Brazil at the Maracanã, Di María was decisive. He scored the only goal of the match, a moment that broke a 28-year trophy drought for Argentina. His contributions did not stop there; he continued to lead the squad through to the 2024 Copa América final, securing his second title with the national team. Following this victory, he chose to retire from international duty, having fulfilled his dream of winning the country's major honors.

Reader's Guide

Di María began his career with Rosario Central but first came into prominence at Benfica after signing for the club in 2007, aged 19. He helped Benfica win the Primeira Liga, the club's first league title in five years, and two Taça da Liga titles. In 2010, Di María moved to Spanish club Real Madrid in a transfer worth €25 million, where he won the 2011–12 La Liga title and the 2013–14 Champions League, amongst other honours. In 2014, Di María was selected in the FIFPRO Men's World 11 and the UEFA Team of the Year. After a falling out with the board at Madrid, he signed for Manchester United in 2014 in a then-British record deal worth £59.7 million (€75.6 million), and inherited the iconic number 7 shirt. After only one season, Di María left England to join PSG in 2015. In his debut season, he scored the winning goal in the 2016 Coupe de la Ligue final and set a Ligue 1 record with 18 assists in a season, as he won his first of five French league titles as part of a domestic treble. In 2017–18, he was the top scorer in the Coupe de France as PSG won the cup. In 2019–20, Di María was integral in the club's Ligue 1 title win and run to their first Champions League final, finishing as the top assist provider in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League. Di María is one of the club's top goalscorers, with 92 goals. Since leaving PSG in 2022, he has joined Italian side Juventus, re-joined Benfica in 2023, and returned to Rosario in 2025, winning the Primera División in his first season back.

Did You Know?

• Di María was born on 14 February 1988 in Rosario, as one of three children of Miguel di María and Diana Hernandez, and grew up in Perdriel.
• As an infant, he was unusually active, and on the recommendation of a doctor was signed up for football at age three.
• He helped his parents with their work at a local coal yard along with his two sisters, Vanesa and Evelyn.
• After being transferred to Benfica, he asked his father not to work any more and purchased a house for his parents and sisters.
• At age four, Di María joined Rosario Central. As he had already committed to playing for his local club, Torito, 35 footballs were given in compensation.