Ángel Di María will be honored in the Argentina vs. Chile match for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

At 36 years old, Ángel Di María has been a key figure in Argentina’s recent successes, though he hasn’t always received the media recognition he deserves.

Coach Lionel Scaloni announced that Di María, a World Cup champion and two-time Copa América winner, will be honored in Buenos Aires during the seventh round of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina will face Chile. This tribute will take place this Thursday, marking a special occasion following Di María’s official retirement from the national team last July.

“I’ve spoken with him, and we believe it’s best for him to say goodbye to his fans on a special night, where he can feel the appreciation and recognition for all he has given,” Scaloni told the press.

Scaloni described the tribute as “well-deserved” and considered Di María’s international career to have had a perfect ending, especially after winning the 2024 Copa América in the United States. “The idea is for him to have a night worthy of his legacy,” the coach said, highlighting Di María as “one of the best players to ever represent Argentina” and as “an example of perseverance and resilience.”

Di María, who has had a distinguished career with clubs like Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and Juventus, mentioned in a recent interview with ESPN that after his retirement from the national team, he now feels like “just another fan of the national team.” He thanked his teammates, coaches, and the fans, noting that the ovations he received in Argentina were “unforgettable,” though he also recalled the difficult moments that led him to consider quitting.

Over the past few years, Di María has been present in all of Argentina’s key moments. He scored in the final of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where Argentina won the gold medal, as well as in the final of the 2021 Copa América in Brazil and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He also added the 2022 Finalissima and the 2024 Copa América to his extensive list of honors, along with numerous titles with clubs in Spain, Portugal, and France, including the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup with Real Madrid.

This Thursday, Di María will receive the recognition he truly deserves, in what promises to be an unforgettable night for him and all Argentine fans.