Brazil-Argentina: “Fideo don’t leave”, Di Maria in tears and standing ovation for one of his last matches with the Albiceleste

Argentina experienced an evening rich in emotions this Wednesday in Rio. At the end of a match that started half an hour late due to violent incidents in the stands and the brutal intervention of local police, Lionel Scaloni’s players won at the Maracana thanks to a header from Nicolas Otamendi, in 2026 World Cup qualifiers (0-1).

A historic success that Lionel Messi’s teammates widely celebrated in the lair of the Seleçao. The world champions took the opportunity to pay tribute to Angel Di Maria, who entered at the end of the match. As he celebrates his 36th birthday in February, El Fideo has announced his intention to retire internationally after the Copa America, which will take place next summer in the United States. The former PSG player therefore potentially played the last match of his career with Argentina in the qualifiers for the South America zone (which will not resume until September 2024).

Players and fans sang in unison

During the victory celebrations, his partners carried him in triumph in front of the stand where the Albiceleste fans were gathered. “Fideo don’t go,” the players and supporters sang in unison. Enough to make the man with 135 caps (29 goals), unforgettable scorer in the final of the Copa America 2021 against Brazil (1-0) and in the final of the 2022 World Cup against France (3-3, 4 tab) burst into tears to 2).

Di Maria joined Benfica freely last summer, after the end of his adventure at Juventus. Since the start of the season, El Fideo has scored 7 goals and provided 2 assists in 14 appearances with the Lisbon club (all competitions combined).

Original article published on RMC Sport