CORNERFLICK
Angel Di María has paid tribute to Lionel Messi after the Argentina captain ended his international career.
A long partnership
Di María said he was proud to have been born into Messi’s generation and thanked him for everything he has done for Argentina. He wrote that Messi took the national flag to the highest point in world football.
The pair played together for about 18 years, and Di María said their bond went far beyond team-mate status. He referred to their time together in Argentina camps, across different clubs and at social gatherings away from football, where they built many memories.
Success together
Di María and Messi were central figures in Argentina’s recent golden generation. They were part of the sides that won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América.
Di María also scored in the 2021 Copa América final against Brazil and in the 2022 World Cup final against France.
Before Messi’s final match against Benin, Di María said he would be at the Monumental Stadium to watch the moment from the stands. He said seeing Messi calm, and knowing he had done everything possible for Argentina, made everyone happy.
He ended his message to Messi with: “I love you very much, my friend. The best player of all time.”