Ángel Di María is a 38-year-old Argentine winger and attacking midfielder who currently plays for and captains Rosario Central. Born on 14 February 1988 in Rosario, he is widely regarded as one of the best wingers of his generation and one of Argentina’s greatest players.
His path through the professional game has been long and varied. Di María came through Rosario Central’s youth system, moved to Benfica in 2007 at the age of 19, and then spent more than a decade at Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus before returning home in 2025.
Internationally, he has appeared at four World Cups and scored in the 2022 final as Argentina won the title. Despite recurring questions about retirement, the most recent sources list him as an active player with no confirmed end date.
Is Ángel Di Maria Retiring from Football?
Di María dismissed retirement in September 2026, telling Argentine news outlet derechadiario.com.ar that he is not planning to end his career. The statement was direct and quickly became the reference point for discussions about his future.
He remains an active player with Rosario Central, the club he rejoined in 2025. No official retirement date has been published, and no announcement about a final season has been made.
- Full Name: Ángel Fabián Di María
- Age: 38 (born 14 February 1988)
- Current Club: Rosario Central
- Major Trophies: FIFA World Cup (2022), Copa América (2021, 2024), UEFA Champions League (2014)
- Di María publicly dismissed retirement in September 2026, stating he does not plan to end his career.
- At age 37, he scored a spectacular free kick to secure his first-ever derby win for Rosario Central in August 2025.
- He remains a key figure for both club and country, with 2026 season stats showing consistent performance.
- He has represented Argentina at four FIFA World Cups.
- He scored in the 2022 World Cup final as Argentina lifted the trophy.
- He won the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid in 2014.
- He has won two Copa América titles, in 2021 and 2024.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 14 February 1988 |
| Birthplace | Rosario, Argentina |
| Height / Weight | 5′ 10″ (1.78 m) / 163 lbs (74 kg) |
| Position | Winger / Attacking Midfielder |
| Current Club | Rosario Central |
| National Team | Argentina |
| World Cup Wins | 1 (2022) |
| Copa América Wins | 2 (2021, 2024) |
How Many World Cups Has Di Maria Won?
Di María has won one World Cup, and it came in 2022. He represented Argentina at four FIFA World Cups and also reached the final in 2014, according to his career record.
Earlier profiles counted three World Cup appearances at one stage, but later coverage updated that figure to four after the 2022 tournament.
What Role Did Di Maria Play in the 2022 World Cup Final?
Di María started the final and scored, helping Argentina lift the trophy. The goal rounded out a performance that underlined his reliability in the matches that matter most.
Four tournaments, two finals, one title. Di María’s goal in the 2022 final was the standout moment of his international career and came less than two years after Argentina’s Copa América triumph in 2021.
How Many Copa América Titles Has Di Maria Won?
Di María has won the Copa América twice, in 2021 and 2024. Those two titles, combined with the World Cup win, were central to Argentina’s international resurgence.
How Old Is Di Maria and What Is His Current Form?
Born on 14 February 1988, Di María is 38 years old as of the 2026 season, according to his ESPN biography. His Fox Sports profile lists him at about 5’10” and 165 lbs.
Where Does Di Maria Play Now?
His current club is Rosario Central in Argentina. Since returning in 2025, he has remained a regular in the side; his Flashscore statistics track appearances, goals and cards through the current campaign.
The Free-Kick Derby Winner at 37
In August 2025, Di María delivered one of the standout moments of his return. Yahoo Sports reported that he struck in the 82nd minute, bending an unstoppable free kick into the net to secure his first-ever derby win for Rosario Central at the age of 37.
Di María turned 38 in February 2026. His 82nd-minute free kick in August 2025 was a reminder that his ability to decide tight matches has not faded with age.
How Is Di Maria Related to Lionel Messi?
There is no family connection between Di María and Lionel Messi. Their relationship is professional, built over years together in the Argentina squad, where they formed the core of a generation that delivered the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 World Cup. A Goal feature on Di María’s career documents that international résumé.
Are Di Maria and Messi Teammates?
Yes. They were central figures in the 2021 Copa América and 2022 World Cup campaigns, with Di María scoring in the World Cup final. Their partnership continued into the 2024 Copa América, where Argentina won again.
How Old Is Messi Compared with Di Maria?
Messi was born on 24 June 1987, which makes him 39 as of 2026. He is just under a year older than Di María, who was born in February 1988.
There is no family link between Di María and Messi. Their bond comes from a shared Argentina dressing room and two major titles won together, the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 World Cup.
What Milestones Have Defined Di Maria’s Career?
Di María’s career moves read like a tour of European football’s biggest stages. His official Real Madrid profile records 190 official appearances for the Spanish club, where he won the 2011–12 La Liga title and the 2013–14 UEFA Champions League.
- – Born in Rosario, Argentina.
- – Progressed through the youth ranks at Rosario Central.
- – Signed for Benfica at age 19.
- – Joined Real Madrid for €25 million.
- – Moved to Manchester United.
- – Transferred to Paris Saint-Germain.
- – Won the Copa América, then scored in the 2022 World Cup final as Argentina lifted the trophy.
- – Moved to Juventus.
- – Played for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
- – Returned to Rosario Central; scored an 82nd-minute derby free kick in August 2025 and dismissed retirement speculation in September 2026.
Complete statistics and trophy records across every club spell are available on his Transfermarkt profile.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Di Maria’s Future?
The mix of retirement reports and continued performances has created some confusion around Di María. The line between what is established and what is still unknown is actually straightforward.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Di María is still an active professional footballer as of September 2026. | No official retirement date has been announced. |
| He has stated that he does not intend to retire imminently. | Future club decisions beyond the current season have not been confirmed. |
| He currently plays for Rosario Central. | His long-term plans after the 2026 season remain speculative. |
Why Does Di Maria’s Career Matter Beyond the Trophies?
Di María’s career spans nearly two decades, with pivotal roles in Argentina’s international resurgence alongside Lionel Messi. From the 2021 Copa América to the 2022 World Cup, he repeatedly stepped up in the matches that mattered most.
His ability to perform in high-stakes fixtures, including the World Cup final goal and his presence across Copa América finals, has cemented his legacy as a clutch player. That reputation carried him through five European leagues before a move to Saudi Arabia and the eventual return to Rosario Central. His transfer history, which stretches from Benfica to Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, is the kind of career path examined in detail by transfer-focused profiles such as Hugo Ekitike – Complete Bio, Stats, and Transfer History.
Returning to Rosario Central in 2025 brought his story full circle. He is back in the city where he started, still producing moments like the derby free kick, with no confirmed end date.
What Has Di María Said About His Own Future?
Di María has addressed the retirement question directly. In September 2026, derechadiario.com.ar reported his words as a statement that he is not planning to end his career.
“Di Maria dismissed retirement from football: ‘I am not planning to end my career.’”
— derechadiario.com.ar, September 2026
His performances have backed up that stance. Writing about the derby in August 2025, Yahoo Sports described the decisive moment.
“First-ever derby win for Argentine legend at 37 years old. Di Maria struck in the 82nd minute, bending an unstoppable free-kick.”
— Yahoo Sports, August 2025
What Comes Next for Di Maria?
Di María will continue his season with Rosario Central in the Argentine Primera División. Possible call-ups to the Argentina national team for future international friendlies or qualifiers have not been ruled out, and no retirement announcement is expected in the immediate future. The next generation of wingers is documented in profiles such as Noni Madueke – Complete Bio, Stats and Family Details.
What Else Do Fans Ask About Di Maria?
What jersey number does Di Maria wear?
Di Maria has worn several numbers during his career. At Rosario Central he currently wears the number 10, while for Argentina he has often worn the number 11.
How old is Lionel Messi?
Lionel Messi was born on 24 June 1987, making him 39 years old as of 2026.
How many goals has Di Maria scored in his career?
As of 2026, Di Maria has scored more than 150 career goals for club and country, including key goals in finals.
What clubs has Di Maria played for?
Rosario Central, Benfica, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Al Hilal, and back to Rosario Central.
What are Di Maria’s career achievements?
A FIFA World Cup title (2022), two Copa América titles (2021 and 2024), a UEFA Champions League (2014), a La Liga title (2011–12), and multiple league honours with Paris Saint-Germain.
When did Di Maria win the World Cup?
Di Maria won the FIFA World Cup in 2022, scoring in the final as Argentina lifted the trophy.
What is Di Maria’s height and weight?
Di Maria stands about 5’10” (1.78 m) and is listed at roughly 163–165 lbs (74 kg).
Margaret Ellison is Editor-in-Chief at RegionalReport.co.uk, overseeing editorial policy, corrections, standards and publication decisions. She writes occasional leader columns and major regional news stories.