Latest news with #DiMaria
Fox News
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'The perfect finish': Reliving 2022 World Cup Final One Year Ahead Of 2026 Final
"This was the Hollywood ending, it was the perfect finish, it was the beautiful dream coming true. These scenes will live forever, as Lionel Messi and Argentina have won the World Cup." Will the 2026 World Cup final live up to what we saw in 2022? One year from Saturday, we will witness the grand finale of the world's biggest sports event. Ahead of June 19, 2026, we relive that epic clash in Qatar through the words of FOX Sports' John Strong and Stu Holden. "How many billions of eyeballs are watching these two men 12 yards apart? Messi scores! … The focus, the concentration, the pressure. How about that?!" When Angel Di Maria was pulled by Ousmane Dembele, there was no question who'd be taking the penalty. Lionel Messi coolly took the shot as he ran up to the spot, stutter-stepped for a split second to look at keeper Hugo Lloris, and then drove into the top corner. An early lead for Argentina. "Julian Alvarez on the run … Di Maria's on the far side … Here it comes! Di Mariaaaaaa! … Argentina master class and they are rolling!" A beautiful buildup orchestrated by Lionel Messi and Argentina was in full control He found Alexis Mac Allister who then squared it to Angel Di Maria. With Hugo Lloris crashing down on him, Di Maria slotted it into the corner for a two-goal lead. A stunning scoreline and a dream start. "First penalty attempt of the tournament for France, this is their chance … And Mbappé scores! Martinez got a hand on it! Game on in Lusail!" Hope for France in the waning moments of the second half! Randal Kolo Muani earns a penalty when he gets tangled up with Nicolas Otamendi for a clear penalty. Kylian Mbappe, who'd been relatively quiet throughout the game, pulls it back for France to cut the lead down to one. "Trying to find Mbappe now, he'll steer back inside, Mbappeeeee! … The French had been down and out and they have risen back!" An incredible turn of events! Merely a minute after getting on the scoreboard, Kylian Mbappé hits an unbelievable off-balance strike into the net for the equalizer. Even with Argentina keeper Emiliano Martínez getting a hand on it, it's France with all the momentum. "Messi! Did it cross the line?! Did it cross the line?! Yes it did! Argentina gets the lead! … Messi the magician, once again, when Argentina needs him the most, he delivers!" With the game going into extra-time, it's Lionel Messi again as Argentina gets the lead again. It's a chaotic finish in front of the net with Messi hovering in front of Hugo Lloris. Even with Dayot Upamecano clearing it out, the ball does enough to cross the line for it to count. "That was blocked, was it a hand?! It was! Penalty for France! …This would be Mbappé's hat trick, the second man in history to score three goals in a World Cup final … Yes!" A masterful move for Kylian Mbappe as his shot clips Gonzalo Montiel on the arm inside the box for another penalty attempt. Mbappe makes Emiliano Martinez go the opposite way and once again its level with a penalty-shootout looming. Most clutch save ever?! Emiliano Martinez kept Argentina from the mother of all heartbreaks when he finds himself one-on-one with Randal Kolo Muani. He needs every part of his outstretched frame to keep that ball out of the net and France winning it in the final moments. It felt inevitable that these two titans would have to settle this in a penalty shootout. With the eyes of the world on them, both Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi took the first penalties for their sides, successfully converting them. Messi's shot – his most important kick of his life – in particular felt like a moment frozen in time as it rolled into the net. After misses by France duo Kingsley Coman and Aurélien Tchouaméni, it set up the chance of a lifetime for an unheralded midfielder to clinch glory. "And a hush over 88,966 fans at Lusail Stadium … Gonzalo Montiel can win the World Cup in Argentina with this kick … Yes!" Winners! An unlikely hero gives Argentina the World Cup trophy. Gonzalo Montiel etches his name in the history books. It sends Messi to his knees in euphoric relief, and the rest of Argentina into just plain euphoria. For the third time in its illustrious history, Messi and Argentina are campéones. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Di Maria breaks down in tears as he returns to ex-club 12 months after threats
Angel Di Maria has rejoined Rosario Central 12 months after he and his family received a series of threats warning him not to return to the club he started his career at An emotional Angel Di Maria could not hold back the tears as he rejoined his boyhood club Rosario Central. Di Maria began his professional career at Rosario Central back in 2005, before going on to play for Benfica, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Juventus. The 37-year-old's return to Argentina was announced back in May, but he remained with Benfica for the Club World Cup where they reached the last 16 before being eliminated by Chelsea. Di Maria was close to rejoining Rosario Central last summer, but a series of threats ended those plans. "There was a threat at my sister's business, a box with a pig's head and a bullet in the forehead, and a note that said that if I returned to [Rosario] Central, the next head was that of my daughter Pia," Di Maria told local media last July. "Those months were horrible. We could only sit there and cry each night over not being able to carry out that dream return." Just 12 months on, Di Maria has been able to fulfil his dream and the winger broke down in tears as he was officially unveiled on Monday. "I am proud of all I have achieved until now, but this moment surpasses everything," he said. "It is very special for me to be able to come home after such a long time - so many years. Being able to return to Rosario with my family, to pull on the Central shirt once more and to make the fans happy again means everything. "It is something I had dreamed about doing for a long time. I had wanted it to happen sooner, but unfortunately it was not possible. But that's in the past, and I'm here now. "I am happy, with my family, and this is what I wanted. I have had the opportunity to meet all my new teammates, to train, wear the club shirt once again, and to play for this great club once more." Di Maria also revealed that he spoke with Lionel Messi ahead of his return, adding: "I spoke with him and with many of the boys on the national team because it's obvious that I have a very good relationship with all of them. "When I didn't come last year, they supported me; they're more than friends, they're like brothers. I'm happy. Leo wrote to me, let a few days go by, he knew my dream was familiar and told me he was very happy. He congratulated me and wished me the best."
The Irish Sun
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Man Utd flop Angel Di Maria in tears as he returns to former club a year after transfer postponed due to death threats
MANCHESTER UNITD flop Angel Di Maria has shed tears at rejoining his boyhood club - dubbing his one-year deal with Rosario Central the HIGHLIGHT of his career. The Argentine winger has won the World Cup, plus the Champions League and La Liga with Advertisement 3 Angel Di Maria shed tears as he rejoined boyhood club Rosario Central Credit: AFP 3 He left the Argentine side 18 years ago for a brilliant career in Europe Credit: EPA 3 Di Maria shined at all of his clubs apart from Manchester United, where he only spent a year Credit: PA:Press Association Di Maria amassed five Ligue 1 titles among a host of prizes with He commanded a £59million fee in 2014 when The Red Devils took a £15m hit on him when selling him to PSG a year later. Di Maria has now gone back to hometown club Rosario, 18 years after leaving the central Argentine city for Benfica. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL He had been due to join them last year, but death threats from the drugs underworld prompted him to postpone his move. The 37-year-old said: "I am proud of all I have achieved until now, but this moment surpasses everything. "It is very special for me to be able to come home after such a long time - so many years. "Being able to return to Rosario with my family, to pull on the Central shirt once more and to make the fans happy again means everything. Advertisement Most read in Football Breaking Exclusive BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS "It is something I had dreamed about doing for a long time. 'I had wanted it to happen sooner, but unfortunately it was not possible. Angel di Maria names Man Utd manager as his 'worst without a doubt' before reporter can even ask in savage TV interview "But that's in the past, and I'm here now. I am happy, with my family, and this is what I wanted. Advertisement "I have had the opportunity to meet all my new teammates, to train, wear the club shirt once again, and to play for this great club once more." Di Maria's career stats Rosario Central, 2005-2007: 39 games, 6 goals Benfica, 2007-2010: 125 games, 15 goals Real Madrid, 2010-2014: 190 games, 36 goals Man Utd, 2014-2015: 32 games, 4 goals PSG, 2015-2022: 295 games, 92 goals Juventus, 2022-2023: 40 games, 8 goals Benfica, 2023-2025: 92 games, 36 goals Rosario Central, 2025-present: 0 games, 0 goals Argentina, 2008-2024: 145 games, 31 goals Trophies Benfica: Primeira Liga, League Cup x3, Portuguese Super Cup Real Madrid: La Liga, Copa del Rey x2, Spanish Super Cup, Champions League, Uefa Super Cup PSG: Ligue 1 x5, French Cup x5, League Cup x4, Champions Trophy x5 Argentina: U20 World Cup, Olympics 2008, World Cup, Copa America x2, Uefa Cup of Champions
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Man Utd flop Angel Di Maria in tears as he returns to former club a year after transfer postponed due to death threats
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MANCHESTER UNITD flop Angel Di Maria has shed tears at rejoining his boyhood club - dubbing his one-year deal with Rosario Central the HIGHLIGHT of his career. The Argentine winger has won the World Cup, plus the Champions League and La Liga with Real Madrid. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Angel Di Maria shed tears as he rejoined boyhood club Rosario Central Credit: AFP 3 He left the Argentine side 18 years ago for a brilliant career in Europe Credit: EPA 3 Di Maria shined at all of his clubs apart from Manchester United, where he only spent a year Credit: PA:Press Association Di Maria amassed five Ligue 1 titles among a host of prizes with Paris Saint-Germain, plus five trophies in Portugal with Benfica. He commanded a £59million fee in 2014 when United signed him from Madrid, but managed just four goals in 32 games. The Red Devils took a £15m hit on him when selling him to PSG a year later. Di Maria has now gone back to hometown club Rosario, 18 years after leaving the central Argentine city for Benfica. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL GREAL GRIEF Man City 'set surprising asking price for Grealish' with club set for huge loss He had been due to join them last year, but death threats from the drugs underworld prompted him to postpone his move. The 37-year-old said: "I am proud of all I have achieved until now, but this moment surpasses everything. "It is very special for me to be able to come home after such a long time - so many years. "Being able to return to Rosario with my family, to pull on the Central shirt once more and to make the fans happy again means everything. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS "It is something I had dreamed about doing for a long time. 'I had wanted it to happen sooner, but unfortunately it was not possible. Angel di Maria names Man Utd manager as his 'worst without a doubt' before reporter can even ask in savage TV interview "But that's in the past, and I'm here now. I am happy, with my family, and this is what I wanted. "I have had the opportunity to meet all my new teammates, to train, wear the club shirt once again, and to play for this great club once more."
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Man Utd flop Angel Di Maria in tears as he returns to former club a year after transfer postponed due to death threats
MANCHESTER UNITD flop Angel Di Maria has shed tears at rejoining his boyhood club - dubbing his one-year deal with Rosario Central the HIGHLIGHT of his career. The Argentine winger has won the World Cup, plus the Champions League and La Liga with Real Madrid. 3 3 3 Di Maria amassed five Ligue 1 titles among a host of prizes with Paris Saint-Germain, plus five trophies in Portugal with Benfica. He commanded a £59million fee in 2014 when United signed him from Madrid, but managed just four goals in 32 games. The Red Devils took a £15m hit on him when selling him to PSG a year later. Di Maria has now gone back to hometown club Rosario, 18 years after leaving the central Argentine city for Benfica. He had been due to join them last year, but death threats from the drugs underworld prompted him to postpone his move. The 37-year-old said: "I am proud of all I have achieved until now, but this moment surpasses everything. "It is very special for me to be able to come home after such a long time - so many years. "Being able to return to Rosario with my family, to pull on the Central shirt once more and to make the fans happy again means everything. "It is something I had dreamed about doing for a long time. 'I had wanted it to happen sooner, but unfortunately it was not possible. Angel di Maria names Man Utd manager as his 'worst without a doubt' before reporter can even ask in savage TV interview "But that's in the past, and I'm here now. I am happy, with my family, and this is what I wanted. "I have had the opportunity to meet all my new teammates, to train, wear the club shirt once again, and to play for this great club once more."
