World Cup nears, Di María on Argentina: "It's not that I don't want…" | OneFootball

Ángel Di María acknowledged that the Argentine National Team is always a temptation, especially with the World Cup so close, but he has accepted that it's a thing of the past. "It's not that I don't want to, but I've completed a cycle. I've achieved everything I desired, and a new generation is coming," he stated in an interview with As.

The Rosario Central footballer emphasized that "now it's time for others." He also recounted how he decided to retire from the Albiceleste and added: "After Qatar, I had already made the decision, but the guys (his teammates) convinced me to play the Copa América, and luckily it ended with the title. It was like a movie."

Regarding the most important moment with the Argentine National Team, Di María chose the 2021 Copa América. "We were coming off a 28-year drought, and personally, it was a breakthrough because I was doing well in clubs but wasn't winning with my country. With that heavy burden on my shoulders, that final against Brazil with my goal was one of the most beautiful moments," he expressed.

The forward also highlighted the World Cup victory in Qatar and explained that "it surely has more value, but each one is a reward for sacrifice." Meanwhile, he emphasized the 37 trophies he has won so far in his career and added: "None of them can be disregarded."

When it came to highlighting the differences between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom he played as teammates, Di María was clear. "Cris was all about hard work and effort to be number one, but Leo would drink mate in the locker room and then show that he had a God-given gift to be the best," he assured.

When defining the Portuguese, with whom he shared the team at Real Madrid and forged a great relationship, the canalla attacker expressed that "in terms of professionalism, there's no one like him for his way of working and maintaining himself." Finally, he concluded, "He coincided with the era of the Pulga, and that complicated his goal quite a bit."

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.