Messi and Di Maria are gentle and calm because of the storms or glory, the bitter or sweet emotions of football, they have all experienced it together. Messi and Di Maria’s last time at Copa America, they will also enjoy at their best.
“Angel” Di Maria and “genius” Messi
The football world knows and admires the story of the beautiful, pure friendship of Leo Messi and his teammates in the golden age of football. Messi’s family and Luis Suarez’s family were seen traveling together; or Messi once took a “selfie” photo while Sergio Aguero was sleeping.
The friendship between Messi and Angel Di Maria is somewhat simpler, quieter and less noisy. “When you love someone, your fresh and steady presence is a priceless gift you give to the other person.” That proverb is probably reserved for the friendship between Messi and Di Maria. That friendship is seen most clearly when both are on the field.
From the 2008 Beijing Olympic final to the 2021 Copa America final and the 2022 World Cup final; Di Maria gave Messi the most priceless gift – the presence of Di Maria himself in his best condition and form.
At the 2008 Beijing Olympic final, Messi received the ball, attracting the clinging of two players. Messi turned around and threw a pass to Di Maria’s downward momentum. A lob shot after a few pushes at high speed, “angel” Di Maria made “genius” Leo Messi a champion for the first time.
13 years later, with a similar lob in the final against Brazil, Argentina became the 2021 Copa America champion. Di Maria once again saved Messi from gossip about “not knowing how to bring the title back to his hometown.” smell”.
A year later in Qatar, Di Maria also completed the mission of protecting Messi, directly contributing to 2 goals before leaving the field in the 64th minute.
When Di Maria is by his side, Messi seems to have an extra pair of wings. Wings help Messi run more gracefully, or those wings will lift Messi to the finish line.
During his career, Di Maria could be a “devil” to many teams or many fans whom he caused extreme anger. But with Messi, there is only the freshness and sweetness of a guardian angel; Silent but always with the strongest protection.
If Di Maria had not been absent in the 2014 World Cup final and two consecutive Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016, Messi’s international career would not have been so arduous and Messi’s tears would not have fallen so much. position.
For one last time together
Currently, the careers of both Messi and Di Maria seem to be completely complete. Copa America 2024 will be the last outing for both of these players.
This will be Di Maria’s last major international tournament. He announced that he would retire from the national team after the Copa America ended. As for Messi, the Argentinian genius is also enjoying his last moments by taking walks with the ball.
No one can say whether Messi can attend the 2026 World Cup or not. But one thing is certain, this will be the last time fans will see Messi and Di Maria side by side, when both are still not “at their full strength”.
Messi and Di Maria’s friendship is not noisy, the way they give each other their last moments is also peaceful. It is different from Messi’s previous breakups. Not disappointment like with Neymar, nor bitterness or harshness like with Suarez and no regret for not being complete like with Aguero.
Messi and Di Maria are gentle and calm because of the storms or the glory, the bitter or sweet emotions of football, they have all experienced together.
Messi and Di Maria’s last time, enjoy it while you can like coach Lionel Scaloni just said in the latest press conference: “We tried together to have a process in the national team. The balance, apart from the trophies, we have enjoyed a lot. It’s fun to see them practice and compete, how they express themselves.
I’m not worried about the future of Messi and Di Maria. It makes no sense to think about them leaving. Let’s enjoy what they do at the moment and we’ll see what happens after that. Messi is fine, he is happy. I have renewed ideas and strength. Defending the title is an exciting challenge.”
