Argentina captain Lionel Messi hopes forward Angel Di Maria ends his international career with a goal in Sunday’s Copa America final against Colombia.
Di Maria, 36, announced in November his plans to retire from internationals after representing his country for 15 years and Messi wants him to get his name on the scoresheet as he did against Brazil to clinch the continental title in 2021 and against France as they won the 2022 World Cup final.
“Who knows, maybe he’ll score another goal in the final like he did in all the previous ones he’s played in. It would be extraordinary,” Messi said in an interview with Direct TV Sports on Saturday, adding that the team still hopes he will reverse his decision.
“We always tell him that if everything goes well, we have playoff games coming up. Nevertheless, ‘Fideo’ (Di Maria) has made up his mind and there’s nothing that can change it.”
Di Maria has scored 31 goals in 144 appearances for Argentina, having played in six Copa Americas and four World Cups.
He also struck the winner in Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Nigeria to win Olympic gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Messi has said that he wants to win this Copa for Di Maria, nicknamed El Fideo, the noodle, due to his skinny frame.
Di Maria was asked about Messi’s words and responded with a tearful interview where he conceded he was finding it hard to say goodbye.
“I’m not ready for my last game with the national team, but now it’s time. A thousand things can happen, but I think that whatever happens on the 14th (in the final), I can leave through the big door. I’ve done everything to be able to leave through that door,” he said.
“I’ll take a lot of trophies with me, but the people, team-mates and friends I’ll take with me is something you can’t buy with anything,” he added.
But his coach Lionel Scaloni has tried to leave the door open, hoping that perhaps another emotional night for the team might prompt a rethink.
“I’m in favour of letting Di Maria play.. then we’ll see if we convince him to stay or not. In the meantime, he has to enjoy the moment. We’ll see if we can convince him.”
(With inputs from Agencies)
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