“I had that chance and I told him after my last game” - Angel Di Maria shares what he told Lionel Messi before leaving PSG
Angle Di Maria has revealed that he thanked Lionel Messi for joining Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after leaving Barcelona in 2021. The Benfica winger stated that he wanted to spend more time with the legendary footballer and share the dressing room with him at club level as well.
In an interview with DSports Radio, Di Maria spoke about his close friendship with Messi and claimed that he pushed the Inter Miami star to join PSG when the latter became a free agent. He said (via GOAL):
"Playing with Messi was the best thing that happened to me in my career. It's the best thing, and after so many years, to create a friendship... the little guy is phenomenal on and off the pitch. I had that chance and I told him after my last game at PSG, 'thank you for letting me live all this with you'. When he left Barcelona, Lean (Paredes) and I told him to come and play with us. It never happened that I would go to Barcelona, but all I wanted was to live it with him. Having him every day during that year was something different. It was the icing on the cake for me."
Angel Di Maria has been linked with a reunion with Lionel Messi, with Inter Miami reportedly keen on signing him. The winger's contract with Benfica expires in the summer of 2025.
Angel Di Maria on Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo
Angel Di Maria is one of the few footballers to have played with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Unlike a few others who refuse to pick between the GOATs, the Argentine has always insisted that his countryman is the better footballer.
Speaking with journalist Juan Pablo Varsky on Clank! earlier this year, Di Maria said:
“I’ve always said the same thing — they are the two best in history. But it’s obvious that the best, by far, is Leo. It’s not just because of the eight Ballon d’Or awards he’s won, but because of everything else. Cristiano is about work—work and work. But Messi, he’s pure talent, a gift from God. He doesn’t need to do anything extra to be the best.”
"Cristiano had to train hard, spend hours in the gym, perfect his finishing, and always push himself. But Leo, it’s like he’s just playing with friends. That’s why the difference between them is so big—Leo is unmatched," he added.
Angel Di Maria has played 141 matches with Lionel Messi for club and country, registering 16 joint goal participations. He shared the dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid 166 times, manufacturing 28 joint goal participations.