Former Real Madrid ace Angel Di Maria has shared that Lionel Messi lauded him after winning the Copa America final against Brazil this past weekend.
As quoted by AS, Angel Di Maria spoke of his elation after guiding Argentina to a 1-0 win over arch-rivals Brazil and end their long wait to lift the Copa America again. In addition, the former Real Madrid winger also revealed what Lionel Messi told him in the aftermath of the victorious evening.
Di Maria scored the only goal of the game, which was eventually enough for Argentina to eke out a 1-0 win over Brazil. The occasion proved to be yet another big game wherein Di Maria has revelled on a big occasion for La Albiceleste, having done so time and again over the years. And post the game, he spoke about his emotions as well as his conversation with Lionel Messi.
Di Maria said, “I can not cry, I do not finish falling. We dream so much; we fight so much. Many people criticize us. We kept hitting our heads against the wall, and today it broke, achieving the much-desired title. Beating Brazil, the Cup was in Argentina. We came here, and we had to win it here, and we won it.”
“It was a pass from Rodri. He had told me that the full-back fell asleep on the mark and it was a perfect pass, I controlled it, I was overhead and it was like against Nigeria in the Olympic Games. Much happiness for my family, my wife, my children, for all those who banked us, for the people who came here, with COVID, without COVID. It is an immense joy.”
“It is unforgettable to be champion with Lionel Messi, he said thank you, I said thank you, he told me it was his end, it was revenge, of what happened in Chile, in the World Cup. I don’t know what would have happened if he was in the other finals. The rematch was today, the final was today.”
Messi himself appeared to be quite elated after winning his first major trophy with Argentina, having failed at the final hurdle one too many times in the past. While the diminutive wizard did not directly impact the proceedings, there is no denying the fact that he was their best player at the 2021 Copa America.
As for Di Maria, the former Real Madrid ace can be content in the fact that he played the biggest part in clinching a long-sought-after major honour for Argentina. The 33-year-old will now set his sights back on club level with Paris Saint-Germain, where he will hope to inspire another sought-after title – the UEFA Champions League – in the 2021/22 season.
