Ángel Di María
Who was Ángel Di María?
Argentine winger who scored the winning goal in the 2022 World Cup final and has won major titles with Real Madrid and PSG.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Ángel Di María (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Ángel Fabián Di María, born on February 14, 1988, in Rosario, Argentina, is a professional footballer known as one of the top wingers of his generation. Famous for his outstanding dribbling, playmaking skills, speed, and agility, Di María has consistently performed at a high level in several top European leagues throughout his career. His skill and adaptability have made him a key player for both club and country for nearly twenty years.
Di María's professional career started with Rosario Central, but he gained major recognition at Portuguese club Benfica in 2007. There, he helped win the club's first league title in five years and two Taça da Liga titles, building his reputation as a promising talent. His success in Portugal led to a €25 million move to Real Madrid in 2010, where he won the 2011-12 La Liga title and played a crucial role in their 2013-14 Champions League win. His performances during this time earned him a reputation as one of Europe's best attacking players.
After his success in Spain, Di María moved to Manchester United in 2014 for a then-British record fee of £59.7 million. Despite being selected for the FIFPRO Men's World 11 that year, his stint in England lasted only one season before he transferred to Paris Saint-Germain. At PSG, Di María had great success, winning five league titles, five Coupe de France trophies, and four Coupe de la Ligue titles, including three domestic quadruples. He helped PSG reach its first Champions League final in 2020 and became the club's ninth-highest goalscorer and all-time leader in assists. His Champions League contributions are notable, as he shares the joint record for most assists in the tournament's history with 41.
Internationally, Di María has been a key player for Argentina in various age groups. He won the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup and scored the winning goal in the 2008 Olympic Games final against Nigeria, securing Argentina's second consecutive Olympic football gold medal. Since his senior debut in 2008 at age 20, Di María has earned 145 caps for Argentina and has played a crucial role in their major tournament campaigns. His international career peaked when he scored the winning goal in the 2022 World Cup final, helping Argentina win their first World Cup title since 1986. After short periods with Juventus and a return to Benfica, Di María came full circle by returning to his first club, Rosario Central, in the Argentine Primera División.
Before Fame
Growing up in Rosario, Argentina, Di María came from the same city that produced other football legends. He honed his skills in the youth systems of local clubs. His early career with Rosario Central helped build his technical abilities, but it was his move to Europe at age 19 that really kickstarted his journey to international fame.
In the mid-2000s, European clubs were increasingly interested in South American players. Di María's transfer to Benfica in 2007 happened when Portuguese football was becoming popular as a starting point for young talents looking to make their mark in Europe. His quick adjustment to European football and immediate impact at Benfica paved the way for his later moves to some of the world's top clubs.
Key Achievements
- Scored the winning goal in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final for Argentina
- Won the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid
- Joint all-time top assist provider in UEFA Champions League history with 41 assists
- Won five Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain including three domestic quadruples
- Scored the winning goal in the 2008 Olympic Games final to secure Argentina's gold medal
Did You Know?
- 01.He holds the joint record for most assists in UEFA Champions League history with 41 assists
- 02.His transfer to Manchester United in 2014 was worth £59.7 million, making it a British record at the time
- 03.He scored the winning goal in both the 2008 Olympic Games final and the 2022 World Cup final for Argentina
- 04.Di María is both Paris Saint-Germain's ninth-highest goalscorer and their all-time leader in assists
- 05.He helped Paris Saint-Germain achieve three domestic quadruples during his time with the club