Di María compared to NBA icon in viral Cartagena captain’s speech

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·24 February 2026

Di María compared to NBA icon in viral Cartagena captain’s speech

Cartagena captain Pablo de Blasis invoked Ángel Di María alongside Michael Jordan and Rafael Nadal in a rousing dressing room speech that went viral.

According to Glorioso 1904, the Argentine addressed his team before facing Real Murcia, citing the former Benfica winger, Ángel Di María, and other greats to stress perseverance.

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He said people often fail to pause as the years pass. Many of them had watched documentaries on overcoming adversity, from Iniesta and Nadal to Jordan and Di María, and he added the group were surpassing themselves this season.

He also listed weekly setbacks, from problems with the pitch and cold water to late wages and a freezing gym. He then used a chess analogy, saying pawns who endure to the end become queens and can take control.

De Blasis finished emotionally, urging Cartagena to keep going to the end.

Source: Glorioso 1904