Ángel Di María Returns To Boyhood Club Rosario Central In Argentina

Forbes

2 days ago

Angel Di Maria of Argentina celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the FIFA World ... More Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by)
Ángel Di María, who scored in the final of the FIFA 2022 World Cup for Argentina against France, has returned to his boyhood club Rosario Central.
Supporters in Rosario were absolutely delighted to hear the news this week, as the club announced that its biggest ever export would be retuning home to play in the Argentinian league. Now 37 years old, this will surely be the last stop in Ángel Di María's fine career.
Fans of Rosario Central cheer the team with smoke bombs prior a round of sixteen match between ... More Rosario Central and Estudiantes at Estadio Gigante de Arroyito on May 10, 2025 in Rosario, Argentina.
Every single club in South America has a hero that leaves for pastures new in Europe. Seeking international glory and, of course, a monumental pay rise.
Generally, fanbases of those teams will hold a lot of affection for that player, especially if they are successful before they leave. The hope will be that after they make their money and enjoy glory in Europe, that one day they will return again.
Finishing a career off like this is never usually the best economic option for a player but it can be their way of saying thanks to their first club or accepting some sort of call of duty to return. Perhaps to help the club financially as well as on the pitch.
Neymar's recent move to Santos is a fine example of this return. Neymar won the Copa Libertadores with the club before he went to Barcelona but now he arrives to play for a Santos side that is in a relegation battle. His presence alone has helped drive international coverage and bring in better players.
Neymar of Santos celebrates the second goal of his team scored by Tiquinho Soares during a ... More Campeonato Paulista 2025 match between Santos and Noroeste at Urbano Caldeira Stadium (Vila Belmiro) on February 19, 2025 in Santos, Brazil.
Gonzalo Montiel recently moved back to River Plate after years in Europe and the majesty of scoring the winning penalty in a World Cup final shoot-out. Radamel Falcao has gone home to Colombia; playing for Millonarios in Bogota and perhaps most spectacularly Óscar Cardozo, who is now 42, has spent almost a decade back playing in his native Paraguay after a decade abroad.
Whether it is to their old club or the team they supported as a boy, many latin players tend to hang up their boots at home. For those that have raised children in Europe it is also an opportunity to bring the family home, and of course for many it means another crack at the Copa Libertadores.
For Rosario Central the return of Ángel Di María is a dream come true, because the bigger the star the more offers they have to end their career elsewhere. Di María certainly could have moved to the MLS or Saudi Arabia but he decided to bring his family back to Argentina after a career of incredible success in Europe.
A kid holding a ball runs past a mural depicting Argentine footballer Angel Di Maria painted in a ... More corner near the Gigante de Arroyito stadium of Rosario Central football club in Rosario, Santa Fe province, some 350 km northwest of Buenos Aires on April 5, 2015.
Since he left Argentina in 2007 Di María has been talismanic in international triumphs with Argentina and also won the UEFA Champions League at Real Madrid. The left-footed attacker also won countless titles in France with PSG, as well as league and cup championships in Spain and Portugal, making him one of the most storied soccer players of all time.
Rosario Central has been the best team in the 'Liga Profesional' table in Argentina this season, winning 10 and losing just one of their 16 regular season games. However after recent defeat to play-off finalists Huracán; Di María has work to do in the second part of this season if Rosario Central are to enjoy any silverware in 2025. Di María didn't win anything with Rosario before he left. Perhaps a trophy with his home club is the last thing on his football to-do list.
Regardless, Di María is still playing at a level where he should make a big impact on domestic football in Argentina. His wand of a left-foot and tricky dribbling will dazzle defences across the country, and he will be applauded by away fans in every stadium after his legendary success with the national team.
Di María's good friend Lionel Messi grew up playing for city rivals Newell's Old Boys. The ultimate dream for any Argentine is to see Messi return to play in his home country and just imagine those two international companions facing off in a fearsome Rosario derby. That dream may be unlikely, but is still alive, as Lionel Messi continues to prepare for the FIFA 2026 World Cup playing his club soccer at Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with Angel Di Maria after scoring their team's first goal from ... More the penalty spot during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on November 22, 2022