Di Maria backs Messi and reflects on Argentina's World Cup

Angel Di Maria has offered an emotional assessment of Argentina’s World Cup campaign, saying the team’s journey effectively ended for him with the semi-final victory over England, even though Lionel Scaloni’s side went on to lose the final 0-1 to Spain.

Di Maria's view of Argentina's tournament

Argentina were unable to retain the world title they had won in Qatar four years earlier. Their run to the final drew strong reactions, including criticism from some observers over officiating during the tournament. After the 3-2 win over Egypt in the round of 16, members of the Egyptian camp voiced anger and suggested the match had been tilted in Argentina’s favour.

For Di Maria, however, the defining emotional moment came later. Reflecting on the campaign, he said the semi-final success against England brought joy to the entire country and represented the culmination of what the squad had been building throughout the tournament.

The former Argentina international said he suffered through every match as a supporter, but admired the way the team repeatedly found the inner strength to keep winning. In his view, the final result did not erase what the side had achieved in carrying the sky-blue and white shirt to the highest level.

A long connection with Messi and Argentina

Di Maria’s comments also revived memories of his close association with Lionel Messi in the national team. A widely shared image after the final contrasted Messi’s disappointment this year with the joy of 2022, when he lifted the trophy with Di Maria by his side.

That contrast is especially sharp given Di Maria’s own World Cup history. He missed the 2014 final against Germany through injury, when Argentina were beaten after Mario Goetze scored in the 113th minute. Eight years later, Argentina triumphed in a dramatic final against France with both Messi and Di Maria playing key roles.

By the time of this tournament in North America, Di Maria was no longer part of Scaloni’s squad, having ended his international career in 2024. He now plays for Rosario Central, where he is captain.

Messi's future and Scaloni's role

Di Maria made clear he has no doubts about Messi’s ability to continue with Argentina. He said his former long-time international team-mate should remain involved for as long as he wants, arguing that even at 39 he continues to show why he belongs among the greatest players in the game’s history.

He also voiced hope that Scaloni will stay on as head coach. Di Maria pointed to the strength of Argentina’s younger generation and suggested continuity would benefit the national team, while acknowledging that the final decision rests with the manager himself.

A tournament remembered beyond the final

Although Argentina fell short in the final, Di Maria’s remarks underline how this campaign will be remembered inside the country for more than the last result alone. For him, the semi-final win over England carried a significance that went beyond a place in the final, because of the emotion it generated across Argentina.

That perspective also helps explain why his reflections were not centred solely on defeat. Instead, they focused on the bond between the team and the public, the resilience shown during the tournament, and the enduring importance of Messi and Scaloni to what comes next for the Albiceleste.