Angel Di Maria is the friend who found the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle when Lionel Messi was waiting for crowns. Di Maria said with pride seeing Messi complete the epic with the goals he scored – “I’m lucky to play with Messi…”.

When Di Maria finally decided to take off his Argentina jersey after 17 years together, Messi told his team-mates: ”We have to win this Copa; For Di Maria..’. Lautaro Martinez and his team followed suit to the letter. After the victory, ‘those two boys from Rosario’ were hugged for the last time in the Argentina jersey.

Di Maria has presented himself as an unanswered problem for opposing teams who have come prepared to answer the Messi question – time and time again! Di Maria scored the winning goal in the final against Nigeria when Argentina won the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In 2021, Argentina are reeling from one World Cup final loss and two Copa America final defeats.

When they reached the Copa finals again, Argentina fans were staring at Messi and the Brazil team was watching without closing their eyes. But that time the winning goal was through Di Maria’s feet.

Di Maria, the architect of Argentina’s success, who scored against Italy in the final between the Euro-Copa winners, had the rest of the World Cup in front of him. In the final against France, Di María’s lightning-quick bursts of movement on the left wing, drawing the ball and defenders alike, left the opposition reeling. Di Maria scored the second goal after winning the penalty that paved the way for the first goal.

The reason why Di Maria is the second most famous city in Rosario, Argentina, was given to the world is because Messi was also born there.

While Messi started the game with Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario, Di Maria’s color was Rosario Central. Central Club paid Rorito 35 balls to acquire the youngster who had previously signed with Rorito Club!

It was from that value that Di María became one of the most valuable footballers in club football, traveling through Benfica, Real Madrid, Manchester United, PSG and Juventus. Di María, who has completed a field trip in his career, is currently playing for Benfica in Portugal.

There are reports that Messi’s club, Inter Miami, is trying to bring Di Maria to the American Major League Soccer club. If that becomes a reality, ‘these children of Rosario’ will continue their journey together.