‘El Fideo’ bids final farewell as Messi’s opponent in Copa America final

MIAMI, July 14 — Argentina’s golden era will forever be linked to the genius of Lionel Messi, but Sunday’s Copa America final is a reminder of the greatest influence of winger Angel Di Maria.

The 36-year-old has made it clear that the match against Colombia, in which the world champions can win their third major title in a row, will be his last match in the famous light blue and white stripes.

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Whatever happens during the showdown at Hard Rock Stadium, it will be an emotional event for Di Maria, who has made no secret of his feelings about his retirement.

“With all the pain in my soul and a lump in my throat I say goodbye to the most beautiful thing that has happened to me in my career, to carry it, to sweat and to feel it with all my pride,” Di María said in November when he announced his intended retirement.

Like Messi, Di Maria played through all the years of frustration for Argentina, which ended with their 2021 Copa América triumph in Brazil and were overshadowed a year later by the joy of winning the World Cup in Qatar.

Like the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Di Maria fought for glory in South America while also enjoying a successful career in European football, most notably in Spain, where he won the league title and the Champions League with Real Madrid.

Both players come from the Rosario football world and their success together began at the 2008 Olympic Games, where Di Maria scored the winning goal in the gold medal match against Nigeria.

The victory was expected to be the first of many for a talented generation of Argentine players, but instead it was referred to as the only title they had won for 13 years.

When Argentina finally won the 2021 Copa del Rey at the Maracana in Rio, headlines around the world announced that Messi’s long wait for a trophy for his country was over.

Just like in Beijing, it was Di Maria who scored the decisive goal in the 22nd minute, cutting in from the right and luring home Brazilian keeper Ederson.

But Di Maria is so happy at the Albiceleste that he is operating in Messi’s shadow.

The noodle

When Messi played on the left side of the attack, Di Maria operated on the right. When Messi switched flanks, so did Di Maria, who also operated centrally from midfield.

No matter what formation Argentina and Messi have adopted, Di Maria has been a constant source of assists. With his slow dribbling style, precise crosses and clever cuts, he is a constant source of creativity.

He also scored 31 goals in 144 appearances for his country, one of the most important coming in the 2022 World Cup final against France, four years after one of his best goals, a brilliant left-foot strike against the same opponent in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Russia.

Messi has said he wants to win the Copa ahead of Di Maria, nicknamed El Fideo (the noodle) because of his skinny frame.

When asked about Messi’s words, Di Maria responded with an emotional interview in which he admitted that he found it difficult to say goodbye.

“I’m not ready for my last match with the national team, but now is the time. A thousand things can happen, but I think that whatever happens on the 14th (in the final), I can leave through the big door. I did everything to be able to leave through that door,” he said.

“I bring a lot of trophies, but the people, teammates and friends I bring, you can’t buy anything,” he added.

But his coach Lionel Scaloni has tried to leave the door ajar, hoping that another emotional evening for the team will prompt them to reconsider.

“I am in favour of letting Di Maria play… then we will see if we can convince him to stay or not. In the meantime, he should enjoy the moment. We will see if we can convince him.” — AFP