Angel Di Maria: The angel who is a true football romantic

Dubai: Former Argentina international Angel Di Maria’s decision to sign for his boyhood club Rosario Central in Argentina represents the completion of a perfect footballing circle, a career storyline that many dream of but few achieve. That move was as stunning as one of his many spectacular curlers he produced throughout his long, successful career playing through the wings. Di Maria’s incredible journey is like a beautifully crafted movie.

He graced the Bernabeu in Real Madrid’s famous white, earned the Man of the Match award for his performance against Atletico Madrid when they won La Decima in 2014, experienced the atmosphere of the Theatre of Dreams with Manchester United (even if that chapter didn’t unfold as he’d wished), dominated Ligue 1 with PSG, and added Italian touch to his resume at Juventus. Each move was ambitious, and he always embraced challenges with determination.

In the international scene, major plaudits will rightly go to his beloved friend and the greatest of our generation, Lionel Messi, but Di Maria was a man of big moments. He has been clutch throughout his career. Argentina’s long wait for a major trophy culminated when they won the Copa America in 2021, and who scored the only goal in the final against the mighty Brazil? It was Di Maria, the Angel who was destined to help the Messiah become eternal.

The crowning moment of his career came in Qatar, where he finally lifted the World Cup trophy that had taunted him for so long. After the heartbreak in the 2014 final in Brazil, Di Maria’s goal and tears of joy in Doha represented the completion of his football dreams. Winning the World Cup is the ultimate dream of any footballer. Many people still believe that Argentina have triumphed against Germany if Angel Di Maria had been fit for that final in 2014.

However, the most impressive aspect of Di Maria’s career isn’t just what he achieved, but how he is planning to finish this extraordinary journey. His European adventure showcased a player who understood the romance of football at every step.

Now, at 37, Di Maria has completed the ultimate romantic homecoming. Rosario Central, the club where it all started, welcomed back their prodigal son for what promises to be a fairytale conclusion. Of course, this wasn’t a decision driven by money or fame. He wants to have a peotic ending to an illustrious career. Moreover, it shows that this maestro is a man who remembers where he came from and honours his roots.

Di Maria had actually wanted to make this move last season, but security concerns and death threats forced him to delay his return to Argentina. Now he is here. The circle is complete. Angel Di Maria is a true football romantic, a player who understands the true essence of this beautiful game.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi, are you watching this masterclass in how to end a legendary career?

— From code to kick-off: Gulf News’ Mohammed Shamsheer spends his weekdays in DevOps and weekends watching football — a proud Chelsea supporter through and through.