In 2010, a much-criticised Diego Maradona was the head coach of one of the most glorious teams in the history of football. Argentina, with Messi as its best player and with a crop of geniuses by his side, was beginning a path that seemed promising...
Was it? Nothing could be further from the cold, hard reality. It was at that World Cup, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the first to be held in Africa, that Maradona decided to put his faith in the "skilful". Angel Di Maria was one of his pupils. A talented and fantastic player who had already been making waves in the youth divisions of the Argentine national team.
However, he had not had many opportunities in the senior team, and even less so in such turbulent times as those qualifying rounds for the World Cup in South Africa, where Argentina qualified in the last minute, in that mythical match in Buenos Aires, against a Peru side already eliminated from any possibility and where stars like Milito, Heinze, Tevez, Messi and Agüero did not shine?
But Di María was always an enlightened player. 2 years before that 2010, in 2008, during the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, Argentina won its second gold medal in the sport that provokes the most passions in all human beings... And who scored the opening goal in the Final against Nigeria? Yes, exactly: the "Fideo" Di Maria. With a pass from Messi, he beat the opposing goalkeeper and created a beautiful work of art as a goal.
Brazil 2014, for me, the best World Cup in history, Argentina, after some tough historical setbacks and after an unusual but unbreakable drought, reached the Enel Maracanã Final... Brazil had been crushed by a Germany that was a real football gale, in a shocking 7-0. In the other semi-final, Argentina had overcome the penalty barrier against the Netherlands and reached the Final, in Brazil, against that Germany...
In the Quarter-Finals, Di Maria had had a fantastic game against Belgium and their Golden Generation. As fate or chance would have it, in that match he got injured... He missed the rest of the competition. Only a month before, he had been the absolute star of the Tenth with Real Madrid, in Lisbon against Atlético de Madrid... Football things, things with mystery...
2015 and 2016 saw Argentina reach two more consecutive Finals. This time, in Copa América and against the same opponent, Chile... In 2015, again an injury took them out of the Final of the tournament and in 2016, the same thing... It seemed that the die was cast, that someone like Di María would never touch the sky with his hands..... But like everything in life, when you least expect it, you get the golden opportunity....
Russia 2018 was the worst in terms of football and goals for Argentina. It was a World Cup mired in controversy, intrigue in and out of the dressing room, problems with the team's management, the coach at the time had lost control and Argentina were beaten by France in the mythical Round of 16.
2021 was the year of the world disaster. A pandemic hit every region of the planet, including football. The Copa America, scheduled for Argentina-Colombia, was moved due to political and public health problems. Brazil, the new venue, hosted the title contenders... In 2019, the Pentacampeones had lifted the trophy, but life had special surprises for Angel Di Maria.
They reached the Final, and oh surprise, Di Maria's left foot scored the only goal of the Final, beating Brazil in Brazil and thus achieving Eternal Glory. They were champions of America. 2022, summer, UEGA and Conmebol join forces and face their continental champions in a one-off Final: Italy vs Argentina Who, if not Di Maria scored in that Final? The outlook was one of absolute grandeur.
Qatar, the World Cup of controversy. Argentina were stunned at the start of the World Cup by Saudi Arabia, who had never beaten them before. They lost that match, but reached the Final again; against France, reigning World Champions. Di Maria tore apart a French defence that couldn't contain him. He caused the penalty that Messi changed into a goal and finished off a move, which is considered the best goal in a World Cup Final to make it 2-0.
2024, again in summer, again in the USA, again Argentina in another Copa America Final. The difference? It is Angel Di Maria's last game for Argentina. He announced his retirement after this match. The best Colombia ever. Everything will be decided on Sunday Will the "Fideo" do it again? I don't know... What I do know, is that this guy is blessed by the gods of the sport. And that if I were a football player, I would want to be him. I love you, "Fideo" beloved, thank you for everything.
