Before the Copa America final, Di Maria gave an exclusive interview to L’Equipe, discussing his views on the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry and his decision to retire from the national team.
Regarding his impending farewell to the Argentine national team, Di Maria stated that he has no regrets: “My decision has been made. In the past, some people always wanted me to leave, but now they hope I stay. After achieving so much for the national team, I can leave in peace. On the other hand, I feel somewhat hurt because the national team is where I find the most happiness. When you wear the national team jersey, all you want to do is give everything for this team. For 15 years, I have given my all for Argentina, and now it’s time to make way for the younger generation.”
Talking about working alongside Messi and Ronaldo, Di Maria showed a preference for his national team captain: “Both of them are players obsessed with winning, but ultimately, the one who has won more Ballon d’Or awards comes out on top – Messi has eight Ballon d’Or trophies. Personally, I think Ronaldo is still a step behind him, even though they have both moved to Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer, they continue to generate headlines. Their competition helped La Liga flourish, and Messi has introduced football to more Americans.”
Regarding Mbappe, Di Maria did not hesitate to shower him with praise: “His speed is incredible, and he can shine at any moment on the pitch. If you give him a precise pass, the result will be decisive. To me, there’s no doubt that he will win the Ballon d’Or.”
Speaking about Benzema, Di Maria said: “He is a world-class player with unique qualities. He can suddenly snatch the ball without warning, dribble past two or three opponents, provide an assist, or score himself. He deserved the Ballon d’Or in 2022.”