The defeat of Lionel Messi in his third World Cup final was a moment of disillusionment, but Ángel Di María, one of his closest former teammates, argues that this result should not signify the end of the iconic forward's international career. Di María, a key figure in Argentina's recent successes, urged Messi to continue representing his country as long as the 39-year-old feels capable.
Messi, who reached yet another World Cup final this summer, became the second oldest player to achieve this feat, only behind the legendary Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff. His consistent contribution throughout the tournament has sparked renewed debate about the possibility of continuing to wear the famous blue and white jersey. Di María, who has shared memorable moments with Messi over the years, stated that the decision should rest solely with the player.
“Leo has to continue as long as he wants,” Di María said. “I believe he can keep going for many more years. At 39, he has proven that he is still one of the best and can continue to be one of the best in history.” Di María's words contrast with previous statements from midfielder Leandro Paredes, who suggested that Messi had already decided to step away from the national team before the final, leaving the captain's intentions open after the defeat.
Di María rejected any notion that age has diminished Messi's impact, emphasizing that the forward maintains an elite standard and possesses attributes that few players in the history of football have managed to achieve. The comments reveal the deep respect that Messi still commands within the Argentine national team. Few players have experienced as many crucial moments alongside him as Di María, who scored in the final of the 2022 World Cup and played a significant role during one of the most successful periods for the national team.
In addition to Messi's personal future, Di María also spoke about the coach's situation. He expressed a clear desire for Lionel Scaloni to remain at the helm of the national team. Scaloni has led an era of great success for Argentina, winning four major trophies while integrating a new generation of talented players into the squad.
“I hope he stays for the good of everyone,” Di María stated. Although neither Messi nor Scaloni has made an official statement regarding their future intentions, the public support from a figure like Di María carries considerable weight in the context of Argentine football. His message suggests that continuity could bring significant benefits, as keeping the established captain and the winning coach in place could help Argentina remain competitive among the best international teams.
Messi's ability to deliver high-level performances at an advanced age has already rewritten expectations around longevity in modern football. Fans and observers will now be watching to see if the player will heed the advice of his former teammate and extend his international chapter. For now, Di María's support keeps the door open, with the decision, as he reiterated, entirely resting with Messi.
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