Di Maria says he will not return for Benfica next season
Angel di Maria will not return for Benfica next season, the Argentine forward said after the club failed to win the Liga Portugal following a 1-1 draw at Braga on Saturday, finishing two points below champions Sporting.
The 37-year-old, who retired from international soccer last year after making 145 appearances for Argentina, has spent five years at Benfica in two spells, having re-joined the club in 2023 after playing for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris St Germain and Juventus.
'It hurts a lot to end this way after such a long year. It was my last championship match with this shirt and I'm proud to have been able to wear it again,' Di Maria wrote on Instagram.
Copa final was dream farewell says Di Maria
'There's still a final on Sunday and we're going to go there with all our desire and joy to win it. Together as always. Thanks for your support, Benfica fans.'
Benfica play Sporting in the final of the Portuguese Cup on May 25, before kicking off their Club World Cup campaign on June 16.
Di Maria, whose contract runs until June 30 according to media reports, did not say if he will play in the Club World Cup.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
2 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Mbappe ‘not bitter' about PSG's Champions League triumph
STUTTGART: France captain Kylian Mbappe said Saturday he is not bitter Paris Saint-Germain won the Champions League the year after his departure for Real Madrid. 'I didn't leave too soon; my story with PSG was over. I am not bitter; I had reached the end of the road,' Mbappe said in a press conference ahead of Sunday's Nations League third place match against Germany in Stuttgart. PSG crushed Inter Milan 5-0 to win the Champions League in Munich last Saturday, the first time the club has won the competition. 'I tried everything, and it was destiny that meant it had to happen without me,' said Mbappe. 'PSG winning the Champions League without me doesn't affect me. I was happy, I think they deserved it. Ballon d'Or 'should go to Champions League winner', says Ronaldo 'They've had so many years where they struggled. I've been there too; I've played in every Champions League stage in Paris except for the victory. 'They're the best team in Europe. 'I don't remember seeing a team win 5-0 in a major final.' Mbappe has repeated his desire to win Europe's biggest club competition, but the closest the Paris-born forward got with his boyhood club was losing the final in 2020 to Bayern Munich. The 26-year-old moved to Madrid in the summer of 2024 hoping to lift the Champions League, but the Spanish giants crashed out in the quarter-finals of the competition to Arsenal in April. Real failed to win a trophy in the 2024-25 season, their first campaign without silverware in four years.
Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Olympian Sabrina will attempt to climb K2
"I really did it, finally arrived in Skardu 2 days ago, after an incredibly difficult and challenging day from Gilgit to Skardu," the four-time Olympian judoka Sabrina Filzmoser texted as she achieved the incredible feat of becoming the first woman in Pakistan's history to complete the journey of 2,324 km in just 10 days. This is the first time a female cyclist has covered a long-distance ride in such a short time under extreme weather conditions, according to the Pakistan Judo Federation. Sabrina has been a breath of fresh air for the local judo clubs, as well as along the way, where she trained with the youngsters, highlighting the conditions they are pursuing in the sport. The greatest feature of Sabrina's journey has been her open-hearted interactions with the people on the road and those she met at her stops. She has been featuring Pakistani music on her Instagram as well as the incredible moments from her experience on Pakistani roads. Her efforts show that she has been immersed in the Pakistani culture through her incredible initiative. This is also the second time that the 2011 and 2008 European Judo Championship gold medallist is in Pakistan, previously she visited and trained the locals in judo and cycling on her journey in 2023. But this time it is different because the 44-year-old is fulfilling her aim of riding from the sea level to K2. On her reaching in Skardu Sabrina reflected on her effort with joy and pride. "It was a challenging day from Gilgit to Skardu, 14 hours on the road, rain, heat, headwind, crosswind, mudslides, rockfalls, blockages, technical issues, but it's all done and dusted. Safely in Gilgit-Baltistan," she text this correspondent on Thursday. "Now I will spend time preparing for the expedition, working on the permits, train with the Baltistan cycling club and the Judokids. "Then there'll be a possible one further section on MTB to Askole, probably starting in 10 days, and from there we'll the trek on the Baltoro glacier. "K2 base camp is very remote, we need at least 1 week to reach it from Askole. Afterward acclimatization period will start, and the actual K2-climbing is possible in a short window end of July/beginning of August." The Austrian athlete covered 2,324 km on her bike, the total altitude she gained was 118,386 meters, and spent 111.45 hours on the road, according to the statistics shared by the Pakistan Judo Federation secretary Masood Ahmed. Sabrina has taken up this journey on her own resources, however, the PJF is helping with logistics wherever they can. Sabrina began her journey when she arrived in Karachi on May 21. She immediately took to her engagement with the media and the Sindh Olympic Association, went to the mausoleum of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, and cycled her way from the Seaview. She then went on to complete the first leg upwards from Karachi to Hyderabad and then Sukkur in sweltering temperatures of 48 to 52 degrees Celsius. From there onwards she reached Rahim Yar Khan to Lahore and then the nation's capital in Islamabad. Later the International Judo Federation Athletes' Commission chairperson went ahead to Gilgit-Baltistan. Break for the International Judo Fed meeting Sabrina will resume her ambitious project of climbing K2 after a week's break. She returned to Islamabad after spending a few days in Skardu and will be leaving for Budapest on June 7 due to her commitment to the IFJ. "I just arrived in Islamabad and will leave for an important commitment as the chair of the IJF athletes commission to the Judo world championships in Budapest," Sabrina updated this correspondent. "I will be back in Islamabad on 14.6. next day to Skardu from where I further continue my way to K2." After attending the IJF meeting on 11 June 2025, the two-time World Judo Championship bronze-medallist will resume her mission from Skardu to the K2 base camp and then the K2 summit attempt upon her return. She is expected to return to Islamabad again around August 2025, after the conclusion of the second phase of her mission, according to the PJF press update. Key stats from Sabrina's Garmin Edge device: Total distance: 2,324 km Total altitude gained: 118,386 meters Time on road: 111.45 hours.
Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Brazil held in Ancelotti debut
Carlo Ancelotti's debut as coach of Brazil ended in a goalless draw in Ecuador in South American World Cup qualifying on Thursday. The 65-year-old Italian, who left Real Madrid at the end of the European season, has been charged with taking Brazil through the latter stages of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The former AC Milan and Chelsea manager replaced Dorival Junior, who was sacked at the end of March after the 4-1 thrashing at the hands of reigning champions and bitter rivals Argentina. Thursday's result leaves the Selecao in fourth place in the qualifying table on 22 points while Ecuador, the surprise package in the campaign, remain in second place on 24 points. Argentina, who face Chile later on Thursday, lead the standings on 32 points and are the only team to have officially secured their place in the tournament which will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Paraguay, who enjoyed a 2-0 win over Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay, sit in third place, level on points with Ecuador. Ecuador knew a win would put them on the brink of qualification and there was a packed crowd at the Estadio Monumental in Guayaquil. But the home side were dealt a blow just before kick-off when goalkeeper Hernan Galindez suffered a muscle strain in the warm-up and replacement Gonzalo Valle was hurriedly sent out to make his debut. If Valle had any nerves they eased when he did well to parry a shot from inside the box from Vinicius Jr. who had been set up by Gerson following a turnover. Chances were limited in a contest where neither side was able to get control of midfield. The pattern continued after the break with Ecuador, missing their injured striker and talisman Enner Valencia, struggling to pose a threat. Real Madrid star Vinicius was quiet for much of the game and with Rodrygo absent, Brazil also lacked potency in attack. The best opening came in the 75th minute when Vinicius broke down the left and cut back to Casemiro.
