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At the age of 36, the Argentine winger — Ángel Di María — is still going strong and is considered one of the greatest in the modern game. Di Maria, a former player of Manchester United and Real Madrid, has been playing in Portugal for Benfica this season. However, there were rumors about the player changing the club very soon. That’s true; Di Maria’s contract with Benfica was set to expire this summer. No one expected the player to renew his contract with the club. In fact, this is what happened as reported by a sports editor at Dailysports.
Ángel Di María, the striker from Argentina who won the Copa América and the World Cup, will still play his next season with Benfica. The Portuguese club’s president, Rui Costa, shared this news on Saturday. “Di María stays with Benfica. It was previously announced. He will stay at Benfica like he did last year when he arrived after the World Cup to sign his contract. The same thing has happened now.”.
Possible Club Switch Doesn’t Happen in 2024
Ángel Di María was rumored to sign a contract with a number of teams. One option on the table was to join his friend Lionel Messi at Inter Miami in the United States. What’s more, on August 26, 2023, the Daily Mail reported that the player had received incredible offers to join the Saudi Arabian league.
After the 2024 Copa América, Di María planned to return to his beloved Rosario Central, according to Argentine journalist Gastón Edul. Nonetheless, after receiving death threats in Rosario in recent months, he prioritized his family’s safety and chose to continue his career with the Portuguese squad. So, Di María decided to re-sign with Benfica after many weeks of discussions failing to produce a contract.
“I am delighted to stay at Benfica for another year and to be able to continue wearing the club’s shirt. I hope to win the titles I was unable to secure last season,” Di Maria said in his interview.
The Background
Di Maria rejoined Benfica in July 2023 after playing there from 2007 to 2010. The Argentine took part in 28 games in the Portuguese division during the 2023–2024 season, scoring 9 goals and providing 11 assists. Besides that, the left winger participated in six UEFA Europa League games, contributing two assists and four goals. According to recent data, the athlete is worth three million euros on the market, and his market value has increased recently.
Terms of the Contract
The terms of this contract will see Di María remain with the Lisbon-based club until the end of the 2024-25 season, which is a significant commitment from both the player and the club. This extended agreement not only secures Di María’s future at Benfica but also provides the squad with the opportunity to continue benefiting from his exceptional playmaking abilities and vast experience at the highest level of the game. Over the past few seasons, Di María has demonstrated his immense value to the Benfica team, orchestrating the midfield with his vision, creativity, and technical prowess.
Playstyle
Di María’s playing style is characterized by his incredible pace and agility, which allow him to beat defenders with ease and create space for himself and his teammates. His mastery of close control and dribbling enables him to navigate through tight spaces, weave his way past opposing players, and maintain possession in even the most congested areas of the pitch.
One of Di María’s most valuable qualities is his exceptional vision and passing range. His ability to pick out teammates with accurate, incisive passes has been a key factor in his success, as he consistently sets up scoring opportunities for his fellow attackers. Whether it’s delivering pinpoint crosses from the flanks or playing intricate through balls to unlock defenses, Di María’s playmaking prowess has been a crucial asset for the clubs he has represented.
Throughout his career, Di María’s combination of pace, dribbling, and passing has allowed him to make a significant impact in the final third of the pitch. His tireless work rate, combined with his technical excellence, has made him a formidable and reliable presence on the wing, capable of both creating and scoring goals. Di María’s importance to his teams’ attacking play has been consistently recognized, cementing his status as one of the most valuable and influential wingers in world football.
Effect on FC Benfica
Benfica has secured a player with a lot of experience and a solid track record with this contract extension, which might be important for their next campaigns.
It’s Still Possible Di Maria May Join the MLS in 2025
Although Di Maria won’t be joining Inter Miami in the January transfer window or this summer, there’s still a good possibility the forward will join MLS in 2025. As of right now, Di Maria’s career is far from over; he is still more than capable of playing a standout season in Europe with Benfica until the summer, at which point he will choose his next move. Additionally, Messi’s former international colleague may choose to play in MLS or Inter Miami; Chase Stadium would be a great place for a player with Di Maria’s caliber of recognition.
