Argentina winger Angel Di Maria was overjoyed to win a second consecutive Copa America trophy with the world champion, reported sportal.bg.
The 36-year-old was adamant that it was the perfect end to his career with the national team, and that he was firm in his decision to retire from the “Albiceleste” after four trophies in the last four years.
“It was meant to happen just this way. At dinner last night I told the boys that this was my last Copa America and that it all ends here. I dreamed about us reaching the final and winning it. This is exactly how I retire. I know from personal experience that it is not easy to become a champion so many times in a row. However, I have also been on the other side - for 10 years I fought to play in finals and win them. It's happening now, it was always meant to be. I feel so wonderful. As I said to the boys last night, I will forever be grateful to this generation. It gave me everything and helped me achieve what I was chasing so much. This is how I retire today. It doesn't get any better than that, does it?
I told a lot of the guys from the previous generation that I wanted to win a trophy and with them, they deserved it too. Well, it so happened that it only now worked out for us. I kept pushing and these guys gave me everything they could. It's the perfect ending for me, it's over. It's impossible for me to have a better ending. If Scaloni wants, I'll call up for Argentina again, but not as a player. It all ended today in a perfect evening. I'm not happy with what happened to Messi who had to finish this way because of his ankle problem. In the end, though, we were able to win for him and make him happy. I think it was a great night”, commented Di Maria after the 1-0 win over Colombia in the Copa America final.
Thus, the veteran finishes with the national team of Argentina with 145 games, 31 goals and 32 assists since 2008.