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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>International retirement now being enjoyed</li><li>Ended Albicelste career with Copa America win</li><li>Stands alongside icons of the global game</li></ul>

‘Lionel Messi & Diego Maradona are from another planet!’ - Angel Di Maria explains why it feels like he occupies ‘first’ place on podium of Argentina all-time greats

The 36-year-old forward enjoyed the perfect end to his glittering international career at the 2024 Copa America. Having announced ahead of that tournament that he would be <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/enjoy-them-now-lionel-messi-angel-di-maria-wont-last-forever-argentina-lionel-scaloni-copa-america-crown-world-cup-winners/blt2d578cc3d6d85ede" target="_blank">retiring from duty with his country</a>, the former Real Madrid and Juventus star <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/di-maria-goes-out-with-a-bang-scaloni-asserts-greatness-winners-and-losers-from-argentina-s-copa-america-final-win-over-colombia/blt32d829cd873fe50b" target="_blank">helped the Albiceleste to another continental crown</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

He also formed part of Argentina’s victorious squad at the 2022 World Cup – scoring in the final of that competition alongside illustrious countryman Messi. With 145 caps to his name, it has been suggested that Di Maria <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/diego-maradona-dancer-lionel-messi-machine-mls-argentina-diego-valeri-explains-inter-miami-compared-world-cup-winner/blt0a97cf8a14b95314" target="_blank">occupies on a place on the Albiceleste’s GOAT podium</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Di Maria – who has spent several years playing alongside Messi and worked under Maradona at the 2010 World Cup - has responded to those claims by telling <a href="https://www.espn.com.ar/futbol/mundial/nota/_/id/14097930/fideo-angel-di-maria-con-espn-sportscenter-entrevista-mejores-frases " target="_blank">ESPN</a>: “It's like being first because Leo and Diego are from another planet! Having been able to play with Leo and having Diego as a coach, that's enough.”

WHAT DI MARIA SAID

There has been talk of Di Maria being reunited with Messi at club level, as he<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/revealed-angel-di-maria-transfer-plan-join-lionel-messi-mls-rosario-pit-stop-inter-miami/bltd411b88b6ae06a65" target="_blank"> generates talk of interest from Inter Miami</a>. He is currently taking in a second spell at Portuguese side Benfica, with no move to MLS being put in place as yet.

WHAT NEXT?

‘Lionel Messi & Diego Maradona are from another planet!’ - Angel Di Maria explains why it feels like he occupies ‘first’ place on podium of Argentina all-time greats | Goal.com

Angel Di Maria feels like he occupies “first” place on Argentina’s all-time great podium as Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona are “from another planet”.

‘Lionel Messi &amp; Diego Maradona are from another planet!’ - Angel Di Maria explains why it feels like he occupies ‘first’ place on podium of Argentina all-time greats