ÃÂngel Fabián Di MarÃÂa (; born 14 February 1988) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Argentine Primera División club Rosario Central. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Argentine players of all time and one of the greatest wingers in the history of the sport, Di MarÃÂa is known for his dribbling ability, playmaking, rapid pace and agility. He is the joint all-time top assist provider in the UEFA Champions League (41).
Di MarÃÂa began his career with Rosario Central but first came into prominence at Benfica after signing for the club in 2007, aged 19. He helped Benfica win the Primeira Liga, the club's first league title in five years, and two Taça da Liga titles. In 2010, Di MarÃÂa moved to Spanish club Real Madrid in a transfer worth â¬25 million, where he won a 2011âÂÂ12 La Liga title and the 2013âÂÂ14 Champions League. He signed for Manchester United in 2014 in a then-British record deal worth ã59.7 million (â¬75.6 million) but left a year later to join Paris Saint-Germain. During his time in England, Di MarÃÂa was selected in the FIFPRO Men's World 11 in 2014. In France, Di MarÃÂa won five league titles, five Coupe de France, and four Coupe de la Ligue, which includes three domestic quadruples, and helped the club reach its first Champions League final in 2020. He is also the club's ninth-highest goalscorer and all-time leader in assists. He joined Italian side Juventus for free in the summer of 2022, before returning to Benfica in 2023.
Di MarÃÂa debuted for Argentina internationally in 2007, playing for the under-20 team; with the side, he won the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, held in Canada. Playing for the country's Olympic team at the 2008 Olympic Games, Di MarÃÂa scored the winning goal against Nigeria in the final to win Argentina their second successive Olympic gold medals in football. He made his senior debut for Argentina the same year, in 2008, at the age of 20, and went on to earn 145 caps, including appearing in ten major tournaments; he featured in four FIFA World Cups for Argentina; helping his country reach the final in 2014 and win its third World Cup in 2022, the first in 36 years, scoring the second goal in the final. Furthermore, Di MarÃÂa was also part of the Argentina squads that reached four Copa América finals, in 2015, 2016, 2021 and 2024, winning the latter two; he netted the only goal in the 2021 final to win Argentina their first trophy in 28 years. He retired from the national team after winning the 2024 Copa América final.
Di MarÃÂa was born on 14 February 1988 in Rosario, as one of three children of Miguel di MarÃÂa and Diana Hernandez, and grew up in Perdriel. As an infant, he was unusually active, and on the recommendation of a doctor was signed up for football at age three. He also helped his parents with their work at a local coal yard along with his two sisters, Vanesa and Evelyn. Due to the low income his family earned, purchasing football boots and keeping up with Di MarÃÂa's hobby was difficult for his parents. He considers himself to be a "family man" and has used a significant amount of his salary to "give back" to his family. After being transferred to Benfica, he asked his father not to work any more and purchased a house for his parents and sisters.
At age four, Di MarÃÂa joined Rosario Central. As he had already committed to playing for his local club, Torito, 35 footballs were given in compensation.
Di MarÃÂa made his professional debut on 14 December 2005 in Rosario's final fixture of the Apertura, a 2âÂÂ2 draw away to Independiente, by replacing Emiliano Vecchio. He scored for the first time on 24 November 2006 in the following season's Apertura in a 4âÂÂ2 win at home over Quilmes, a minute after replacing Leonardo Borzani at half-time. After playing at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada, Boca Juniors made a bid of US$6.5 million for him. He was also approached by English club Arsenal, a move that fell through due to the United Kingdom's strict rules on issuing work permits to players from outside the European Union.
Di MarÃÂa was transferred to the Portuguese side Benfica in July 2007, where he played as a winger. He was signed as a replacement for Benfica's departing captain, Simão, who joined Atlético Madrid earlier that summer. Benfica paid Rosario Central â¬6 million for 80% of his sports rights and 50% of the sports rights of Andrés DÃÂaz. Later, in August 2008, the Portuguese club paid an extra â¬2 million for the remaining 20%, but re-sold 10% to GestiFute.
Di MarÃÂa had his breakthrough in the 2009âÂÂ10 season thanks to the trust placed in him by manager Jorge Jesus. On 22 October, in the Europa League group stage match against Everton, he provided a hat-trick of assists for the first time in his career, in a 5âÂÂ0 thrashing at the Estádio da Luz, marking the biggest loss of an English side in a European competition. During that month, Di MarÃÂa signed a new deal with Benfica, adding three more years to his current deal, which was to last until 30 June 2015 with his release fee set at a minimum of â¬40 million. Afterwards, he was backed by Diego Maradona to become "Argentina's next superstar". He would score a brace in Benfica's 2âÂÂ1 home win over AEK Athens, to ensure Benfica's qualification to the round of thirty-two, as group winners.
On 27 February 2010, Di MarÃÂa scored his first hat-trick in a classic 4âÂÂ0 win against Leixões. The next day, he made the headlines as "Magic Tri MarÃÂa" in all sports newspapers in Portugal. He finished as the league's top assister that season with 11 assists, including two in a 5âÂÂ0 win against Olhanense, as Benfica won the national championship, adding the year's domestic League Cup, while being named Player of the Month in April.
On 28 June 2010, Real Madrid posted on their website that they had agreed with Benfica for the transfer of Di MarÃÂa. He signed a five-year contract for â¬25 million, plus â¬11 million in incentives, as announced one day later by the Portuguese Stock Exchange regulating entity. On 7 July 2010, Di MarÃÂa arrived to Madrid directly from Buenos Aires, and passed the medical test on 8 July. He made his debut on 4 August 2010 in a friendly match against Mexican side América, which Real Madrid won 3âÂÂ2. On 22 August, Di MarÃÂa scored his first goal in another friendly away against Hércules, which Real Madrid won 3âÂÂ1. In the last match of the pre-season, on 24 August, after an individual play described as a "magic moment", he opened the score of the 2âÂÂ0 win against Peñarol for the Trofeo Santiago Bernabéu.
His league debut came on 29 August in a 0âÂÂ0 draw against Mallorca. On 18 September, Di MarÃÂa scored his first league goal for Real Madrid in their 2âÂÂ1 away win over Real Sociedad. Ten days later, he scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League against Auxerre in a 1âÂÂ0 victory. He scored a controversial first goal against Sevilla on 19 December. Days later, Di MarÃÂa assisted Karim Benzema's two goals and Cristiano Ronaldo's goal in an astonishing 8âÂÂ0 drubbing of Levante on 22 December. In the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Lyon, he scored the third and final goal in a 3âÂÂ0 win to send Real Madrid through to the quarter-finals for the first time in seven years.
Di MarÃÂa scored Real Madrid's third goal during their first-leg Champions League quarter-final victory over Tottenham Hotspur on 5 April 2011. On 20 April, he was sent off in the 31st minute of extra time in the Copa del Rey final against rival Barcelona. Real Madrid won the match 1âÂÂ0, the lone goal of the match (in the 13th minute of extra time) being a header from Cristiano Ronaldo, which came from his cross, thus obtaining his first honour with Real Madrid.
During the start of the 2011âÂÂ12 season, Di MarÃÂa endured a tough series of matches as he struggled to adapt to the pace of the league following the summer break. As a result, Di MarÃÂa's early performance for the season was mixed with moments of genuinely good play interspersed with moments of sheer madness by the Argentine. This point was well illustrated during Real Madrid's 1âÂÂ0 defeat to Levante, a match which saw a clearly out-of-sorts Di MarÃÂa commit a horror foul on Levante's Juanfran during the match. Di MarÃÂa caused the two teams to clash and an on-field incident ensued. However, Di MarÃÂa's performances would improve, including opening up a significant gap at the top of the assists table. From October 2011, Di MarÃÂa was being picked by Madrid head coach José Mourinho ahead of Kaká and Mesut ÃÂzil, a sign of his improving form.
On 27 November 2011, Di MarÃÂa played 60 minutes in a league match against city rivals Atlético Madrid, in which he scored a goal for Real Madrid. Mourinho's team won the match 4âÂÂ1. On 3 December 2011, Di MarÃÂa scored Real's first goal from a sharp angle in a 3âÂÂ0 defeat of Sporting de Gijón in La Liga. He was a constant threat and presence in the starting XI as Real Madrid won their 32nd league title, playing in their 3âÂÂ0 win over Athletic Bilbao that clinched the league title.
Di MarÃÂa scored his first goal of the season against Barcelona in the first leg of the 2012 Supercopa de España at Camp Nou after a mistake by Barcelona goalkeeper VÃÂctor Valdés.
Although Di MarÃÂa did not have the best season, he did contribute in big moments, most notably by sending in the cross for Cristiano Ronaldo's goal against Manchester United on 13 February, he registered seventeen assists, and scored nine goals throughout the season in 52 appearances, notably against Atlético Madrid and Málaga. On 9 August 2012, Di MarÃÂa signed a new contract with Real Madrid, keeping him at the club until 2018.
On 2 October 2013, Di MarÃÂa scored two goals against Copenhagen in Real Madrid's 4âÂÂ0 Champions League victory over them. Later in the season, due to tactical decisions by the club's new manager Carlo Ancelotti, Di MarÃÂa's playing position was permanently switched to that of an offensiveâÂÂminded central midfielder, and he was frequently deployed in the starting line-up alongside Luka Modriàand Xabi Alonso in midfield in the team's 4âÂÂ3âÂÂ3 formation. He contributed to the club's 2âÂÂ1 victory over Barcelona in the 2014 Copa del Rey Final with the opening goal. Di MarÃÂa was the top assist maker in La Liga for the season, contributing 17.
In the 2014 UEFA Champions League Final against Atlético Madrid on 24 May 2014, Di MarÃÂa dribbled past two players before producing a save from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Di MarÃÂa's teammate Gareth Bale, was there to head the rebound into the net in the 110th minute, giving Real Madrid a 2âÂÂ1 lead over Atlético in an eventual 4âÂÂ1 win. Di MarÃÂa was named man of the match by UEFA after the match, and was presented with the honour by former Manchester United head coach Sir Alex Ferguson.
Di MarÃÂa was an unused substitute as Real Madrid won the 2014 UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla on 12 August. A week later, in the first leg of the Supercopa de España, he played the final 15 minutes of a 1âÂÂ1 home draw against Atlético Madrid in place of Luka ModriÃÂ.
On 26 August 2014, Di MarÃÂa signed a five-year deal with Manchester United for a transfer fee of ã59.7 million, one of the most expensive transfers of all time and the highest fee ever paid by a British club at the time. He inherited the number 7 shirt at United, which was previously worn by club legends such as George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, he said in an open letter to Real Madrid fans that he had never wanted to leave Real Madrid, but that its board had been unsupportive and unfair: "Someone may not like me".
Di MarÃÂa made his debut on 30 August in a 0âÂÂ0 draw with Burnley, in which he was substituted for Anderson after 70 minutes. He scored his first goal for United on 14 September, netting directly from a free-kick in a 4âÂÂ0 win over Queens Park Rangers. He also provided an assist for Juan Mata's goal in the same match, winning the vote for Man of the Match. His performance was highlighted by Sky Sports' Player Cam feature, which was brought back especially for the match. In the next match, against Leicester City on 21 September, he again scored a goal and provided another assist, although United lost the match 5âÂÂ3.
On 2 October, Di MarÃÂa won Manchester United's Player of the Month award for September after recording two goals and two assists in his first four matches for the club. One week later, he won his second individual trophy at United after his goal against Leicester, in which he chipped goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, was voted as the club's Goal of the Month for September. Di MarÃÂa continued his run of fine form on 5 October by scoring a goal and providing an assist for Radamel Falcao to help United defeat Everton 2âÂÂ1. Di MarÃÂa was substituted with a hamstring injury 13 minutes into United's 3âÂÂ0 defeat of Hull City on 29 November and made only one substitute appearance in the team's next seven matches.
On 4 January 2015, Di MarÃÂa returned from injury to score a late goal in a 2âÂÂ0 win against Yeovil Town in the third round of the FA Cup. A week later, he was used as a forward by manager Louis van Gaal in a 1âÂÂ0 home defeat to Southampton. This new role came in the midst of a bad run of form for Di MarÃÂa, who was said to have struggled since October. Di MarÃÂa was sent off on 9 March as United lost 2âÂÂ1 at home against Arsenal in the FA Cup sixth round, being booked for diving and for grabbing the shirt of referee Michael Oliver, but earlier set up the equaliser by Wayne Rooney. At the season's end, Di MarÃÂa was judged by The Daily Telegraph to be the worst signing of the season.
On 25 July 2015, Di MarÃÂa failed to board a flight to the United States to join Manchester United's pre-season tour as scheduled; manager Louis van Gaal said he "did not know why". On 2 August, it was reported Di MarÃÂa would undergo a medical ahead of a move to Paris Saint-Germain; and four days later, Manchester United confirmed he had been sold to the French champions for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around ã44 million, signing a four-year contract.
Di MarÃÂa made his Ligue 1 debut on 30 August away to Monaco as a 66th-minute substitute for Lucas, and assisted Ezequiel Lavezzi for the final goal of a 3âÂÂ0 win at the Stade Louis II. On 15 September, Di MarÃÂa scored his first goal for PSG on his UEFA Champions League debut for the club, a 2âÂÂ0 win over Malmö FF at the Parc des Princes. Seven days later, he registered his first goal in Ligue 1 as PSG defeated Guingamp 3âÂÂ0. On 23 April 2016, Di MarÃÂa scored the winning goal for PSG in the 2016 Coupe de la Ligue Final against Lille at the Stade de France. Di MarÃÂa ended 2015âÂÂ16 setting a new Ligue 1 record for assists in a season with 18.
In the 2016âÂÂ17 Champions League group stage home match against Basel on 19 October 2016, Di MarÃÂa scored the opening goal in the 40th minute in a 3âÂÂ0 victory for PSG to register his first goal of the season. On 19 November, he opened the scoring with his first Ligue 1 goal of the season in a 2âÂÂ0 home win against Nantes.
On 14 February 2017, Di MarÃÂa scored a brace as PSG defeated Barcelona 4âÂÂ0 in the first leg of 2016âÂÂ17 UEFA Champions League round of 16 at the Parc des Princes. On 1 April, he scored in PSG's 4âÂÂ1 win over Monaco in the 2017 Coupe de la Ligue final. On 8 May 2018, he played as PSG won 2âÂÂ0 against Les Herbiers to clinch the 2017âÂÂ18 Coupe de France.
On the first leg of his side's Champions league round of 16 tie against his former club Manchester United in the 2018âÂÂ19 season, Di MarÃÂa sustained a serious injury following a tackle from Ashley Young; however, he refused to be substituted, and in the final moments of the game, he assisted Kylian Mbappé's goal for a 2âÂÂ0 win at Old Trafford. Eventually, PSG lost 3âÂÂ1 in the second leg and were eliminated in the round of 16 for the third consecutive season.
In the 2019âÂÂ20 UEFA Champions League group stage, Di MarÃÂa scored a brace in a 3âÂÂ0 win over his former club Real Madrid on 18 September 2019. On 18 August 2020, Di MarÃÂa scored a goal and recorded two assists in PSG's 3âÂÂ0 Champions League semi-final victory over RB Leipzig; the club went on to play against Bayern Munich in the final, but lost the match 1âÂÂ0.
On 23 September 2020, Di MarÃÂa was handed a four-match suspension for a spitting incident with ÃÂlvaro González during Le Classique 10 days earlier. He would miss the league matches against Angers, Nîmes, Dijon and Nantes. In a UEFA Champions League match against RB Leipzig on 4 November, Di MarÃÂa scored the opening goal in an eventual 2âÂÂ1 defeat. He made his return to league action in a match against Rennes three days later, and scored a goal to help PSG win the match 3âÂÂ0.
In a home match against ðstanbul Baà Âakà Âehir on 9 December 2020, Di MarÃÂa recorded two assists; he subsequently became the player with the third most assists in UEFA Champions League history with a tally of 32, only being behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. On 12 March 2021, Di MarÃÂa extended his contract with Paris Saint-Germain for one more season with an option for a second. On 4 May, Di MarÃÂa was sent off against Manchester City in the semi-finals of the Champions League for stamping on Fernandinho in an off the ball incident. He was handed a three-match ban in European competitions. In the 2021 Coupe de France Final, when PSG defeated Monaco by a score of 2âÂÂ0, Di MarÃÂa broke the all-time assist record for PSG by delivering a pass for a Kylian Mbappé goal. It was his 104th assist as a PSG player. In the 2021âÂÂ22 season with Paris Saint-Germain, Di MarÃÂa won the Ligue 1 title, his fifth league title with the club. On 20 May 2022, his departure from Paris at the end of his contract was confirmed. In his last match for the club against Metz on 21 May, Di MarÃÂa scored a goal and recorded an assist, helping his team to a 5âÂÂ0 win. He received a tribute and ovation from the Parc des Princes. Di MarÃÂa ended his spell at PSG with 92 goals and 112 assists in 295 matches.
On 8 July 2022, Di MarÃÂa joined Juventus as a free agent after signing an annual contract. He made his club debut on 15 August, in Juventus's opening match of the Serie A season; he scored the opening goal and later assisted Duà ¡an VlahoviÃÂ's second goal in an eventual 3âÂÂ0 home win but was substituted in the second half after sustaining an injury. On 15 September, he made his 100th Champions League appearance, and his debut with Juventus in that competition, in a 2âÂÂ1 home defeat against his former club Benfica. On 5 October, Di MarÃÂa provided a hat-trick of assists in a 3âÂÂ1 home win against Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League, making the third highest assist provider in the competition's history. Despite his contributions, Juventus finished third in the group stage which put them in the Europa League knockout round play-offs, and as a result, they failed to make the Champions League knockout stages for the first time since 2013.
On 23 February 2023, he scored a hat-trick in a 3âÂÂ0 away win over Nantes in the Europa League. On 9 March, he scored his fourth goal in the competition, after netting the only goal of a home win over Freiburg. He impressed during the season, despite suffering from multiple hamstring injuries, which limited his game time. On 6 June, Di MarÃÂa confirmed his departure from Juventus, following the expiry of his contract.
Amidst growing interest from Saudi clubs, Di MarÃÂa ended all speculations on 6 July 2023, when he signed a one-year contract with Benfica and was presented in front of 2,500 Benfica supporters in the entrance of Estádio da Luz.
On 9 August, Di MarÃÂa made his second debut at Benfica, scoring the opening goal of a 2âÂÂ0 victory over Porto in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, winning his first trophy back with the club. With two assists and a goal in a 4âÂÂ0 win over Vitória de Guimarães on 2 September, he reached five goal contributions in his first four league games. On 29 September, he scored the only goal of a home win over Porto, in the Primeira Liga, allowing his side to stay on top of the league table. In the last Champions League group stage match on 12 December, Di MarÃÂa scored his first goal in the competition with Benfica, directly from a corner kick, in a 3âÂÂ1 away win over Red Bull Salzburg, which proved essential for the Eagles to qualify to the UEFA Europa League knock-out round play-offs. There, he scored two penalties in a 2âÂÂ1 aggregate victory over Toulouse. In the first leg of the quarter-finals against Olympique de Marseille on 11 April, he scored from open play to help his side to a 2âÂÂ1 victory, but in the second leg, he missed the first kick of the penalty shootout as Benfica was knocked-out.
On 23 November 2024, the 36-year-old Di MarÃÂa scored a 16-minute hat-trick in the opening 18 minutes of the Portuguese Cup fourth round match against Estrela da Amadora, helping his team to a 7âÂÂ0 victory. Two months later, on 11 January, he started in the 2025 Taça da Liga final against city rivals Sporting, converting his penalty in an eventual shoot-out victory. Di MarÃÂa scored four penalties in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the first three against Boca Juniors and Auckland City in the group stage, while the fourth was a last-minute equaliser against Chelsea in the round of 16, which ended in a 4âÂÂ1 loss in extra-time. This marked the end of his European career, after 768 official matches.
On 29 May 2025, it was announced by boyhood club Rosario Central that Di MarÃÂa would be returning on a free transfer after Benfica's participation in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. On 12 July, he made his first appearance since returning to the club, scoring a penalty in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Godoy Cruz.
In 2007, Di MarÃÂa was picked to play for the Argentina under-20 team. He was capped for the 2007 South American U-20 Championship in Paraguay. In 2007, he was called up for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. They went on to win the tournament with Di MarÃÂa scoring three goals in the process.
On 28 January 2008, Di MarÃÂa and some of his under-20s teammates were called up for the Argentina Olympic football team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He scored the extra-time game-winning goal on a pass from Lionel Messi in the 105th minute of his team's 2âÂÂ1 quarter-final win over the Netherlands. On 23 August, Di MarÃÂa scored the game-winner â a chip over the goalkeeper from the edge of the area â in the 57th minute of Argentina's 1âÂÂ0 victory against Nigeria to capture their second-straight Olympic gold medal in the final game of the Olympic tournament.
On 6 September 2008, Di MarÃÂa made his debut for the Argentina senior team in a match against Paraguay.
On 19 May 2010, Di MarÃÂa was selected by Argentinian manager Diego Maradona in the 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. On 24 May, Di MarÃÂa scored his debut international goal in a 5âÂÂ0 friendly win over Canada. At the World Cup, he helped Argentina reach the quarter-finals, playing in all five of Argentina's matches and starting four of them.
Following the World Cup, on 11 August 2010 Di MarÃÂa scored the first-ever international goal at Dublin's new Aviva Stadium in a friendly against the Republic of Ireland as Argentina won 1âÂÂ0.
Di MarÃÂa appeared three times during the 2011 Copa América, scoring once in a 3âÂÂ0 defeat of Costa Rica in the group stage.
Di MarÃÂa made 12 appearances during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign and was included in the Argentina national team for the tournament finals. In Argentina's round of 16 match against Switzerland, Di MarÃÂa scored the only goal of the game after 118 minutes, from a Lionel Messi assist. During the quarter-final match against Belgium, Di MarÃÂa suffered a muscle tear in the thigh and was later taken off the field. It was later announced after the match that Di MarÃÂa would miss the rest of the tournament due to the injury. He had previously helped to create Gonzalo HiguaÃÂn's only goal of the match, which sent Argentina into the semi-finals. Argentina finished the tournament as runners-up to Germany.
On 11 July, Di MarÃÂa was named on the ten-man shortlist for FIFA's Golden Ball award for the tournament's best player.
On 3 September 2014, in a friendly away against world champions Germany, Di MarÃÂa had a part in all four of Argentina's goals in a 4âÂÂ2 victory, assisting three and scoring one.
On 28 May 2015, Di MarÃÂa was included in Argentina national team for the 2015 Copa América. On 6 June, he was selected to captain the team in the absence of Lionel Messi for a warm-up match against Bolivia, scoring twice in a 5âÂÂ0 win. A week later, in their opening match of the tournament against Paraguay in La Serena, Di MarÃÂa won a penalty which Messi scored in a 2âÂÂ2 draw. On 30 June, he scored twice and assisted a goal for Sergio Agüero, as Argentina defeated Paraguay 6âÂÂ1 to reach the final. He was substituted with a hamstring injury within the first half-hour of the final against hosts Chile, which his team lost in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw.
In Argentina's opening match of the Copa América Centenario on 6 June 2016, a rematch of the previous tournament's final against defending champions Chile, Di MarÃÂa scored the opening goal of the match and later assisted ÃÂver Banega's goal in a 2âÂÂ1 win. Di MarÃÂa dedicated the goal to his grandmother, who had recently died. In his nation's second group match, against Panama on 10 June, he assisted Nicolás Otamendi's opening goal, but was later forced off due to injury. Argentina won the match 5âÂÂ0. He missed the rest of the tournament due to injury as Argentina reached the Copa América final for the second consecutive time, once again losing out to Chile on penalties, following a 0âÂÂ0 draw.
Di MarÃÂa made 18 appearances in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. On 22 May 2018, Di MarÃÂa was named in 23-man squad by manager Jorge Sampaoli for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. On 30 June, he scored a long range goal against France in a 4âÂÂ3 defeat which saw Argentina eliminated from the World Cup in the Round of 16.
On 21 May 2019, he was included in the Lionel Scaloni final 23-man Argentina squad for the 2019 Copa América.
In June 2021, Di MarÃÂa was included in the Argentina national team for the 2021 Copa América in Brazil. On 21 June, he assisted the only goal of the match, scored by Papu Gómez, in Argentina's third group match against Paraguay; the result allowed his side to progress to the quarter-finals. In the final of the tournament against the hosts Brazil on 10 July, he scored the only goal of the match to give Argentina their joint record 15th Copa América title with Uruguay and their first international title since 1993. He ran onto a long pass from Rodrigo De Paul into the Brazilian penalty area. The pass was slightly deflected by Brazilian defender Renan Lodi before Di MarÃÂa controlled the ball with the outside of his left foot; he then chipped the ball over the goalkeeper Ederson, giving Argentina an early lead. Although he was substituted late in the second half of the match, the goal would hold as the winning effort for Argentina.
On 1 June 2022, Di MarÃÂa scored Argentina's second goal in a 3âÂÂ0 win over the reigning European champions, Italy, at Wembley Stadium in the 2022 Finalissima.
On 11 November 2022, Di MarÃÂa was named in the final squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. On 26 November, he recorded an assist on Messi's opening goal in Argentina's second group match, a 2âÂÂ0 win over Mexico. On 18 December, Di MarÃÂa scored his team's second goal against France in the final, minutes after winning the penalty for the first goal as Argentina defeated France 4âÂÂ2 on penalties, after the match ended 3âÂÂ3 in extra-time, to win the World Cup. He was surprised by the coach's decision to start him on the left and thought Scaloni was "confused", but Scaloni convinced Di MarÃÂa how he wanted to game plan with him specifically on the left.
In October 2023, Di MarÃÂa announced that he would be retiring from the national team after the 2024 Copa América. In Argentina's final group match against Peru, he set-up Lautaro MartÃÂnez's first goal in a 2âÂÂ0 win which saw Argentina advance to the quarter-finals after topping their group. In the final against Colombia, he wore the captain's armband after Messi went down with an injury in the 65th minute. He played 117 minutes before being taken off for Otamendi. Argentina won the match 1âÂÂ0, marking their second consecutive Copa America triumph and third consecutive international tournament trophy. It was Di MarÃÂa's final game for Argentina, ending his international career as a champion.
Di MarÃÂa retired joint-third in Argentina's all-time appearance list (145) and joint-sixth for most goals (31). On 5 September, he was honored by the national team at River Plate Stadium following Argentina's 3âÂÂ0 win over Chile in a 2026 World Cup qualifier. Scaloni and the national team all donned special Argentina shirts wearing Di MarÃÂa's number 11 on the back, and he was thrown in the air by his teammates during the farewell ceremony. Messi, who was unable to attend due to nursing an injury, recorded a tribute to his long-time teammate that played on the stadium's screens. In a speech at the end of the ceremony, Di MarÃÂa commented "Now I'll be just another fan, cheering the team on from up there. I'll go to all the Copa Americas and World Cups. We will surely keep going this way because this team has a lot of guts."
Di MarÃÂa is a winger who is also capable of playing as a more central attacking midfielder or on either side of the pitch, although he is predominantly a left-footed player. He has also been deployed to as a central midfielder, in particular under Carlo Ancelotti's tenure with Real Madrid. Possessing a slender frame, Di MarÃÂa is an agile, creative and highly technical player who possesses good dribbling skills and ball control, as well as pace, stamina, movement, and acceleration, attributes. He is also gifted with excellent vision, set-piece delivery, passing, and crossing ability. Di MarÃÂa has also drawn praise in the media over his decisive performances in important matches throughout his career. Despite his ability, however, he has often struggled with injuries throughout his career.
Di MarÃÂa is nicknamed "Fideo", which means "noodle" in Spanish, due to his slender frame. Due to his Italian ancestry, he obtained an Italian passport. He is Roman Catholic.
He married fellow Argentine Jorgelina (née Cardoso) in 2011. Together they have two daughters, Mia and Pia. Mia was born three months premature and survived after treatment at an intensive care unit at the Hospital Universitario MonteprÃÂncipe in Madrid.
Di MarÃÂa's home in Prestbury, Cheshire, was the scene of an attempted burglary on 31 January 2015.
On 2 September 2020, it was reported that Di MarÃÂa, along with PSG teammates Neymar and Leandro Paredes, had tested positive for COVID-19. The French sports newspaper L'ÃÂquipe said that the three players reportedly went on vacation in Ibiza. As a result, they had to quarantine for one week, and the rest of the players and working staff were scheduled to take a coronavirus test within the same week.
During a match between PSG and Nantes on 14 March 2021, Di MarÃÂa's home was robbed and his family was held hostage. He had been substituted off the pitch by manager Mauricio Pochettino, who informed Di MarÃÂa of the situation. PSG teammate Marquinhos' parents' home was also burgled in a similar way.
Di MarÃÂa is one of the 13 sports personalities named in the Pandora Papers published by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). He used a company in Panama to exploit his image rights for months before arriving at Real Madrid. He is the owner of a company in Panama created especially to manage his million-dollar contracts for the exploitation of his image rights, a shell company that he used since 2009 and that he maintains to this day. The Pandora Papers reveal that he handled more than â¬8 million between 2013 and 2017 through a company named Sunpex Corporation Inc.
Benfica
Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain
Rosario Central
Argentina U20
Argentina Olympic
Argentina
Individual