Argentine winger Ángel Di María has announced that the upcoming Copa América tournament in 2024 will be his final appearance representing Argentina on the international stage. Di María shared this emotional decision on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the support he’s received throughout his career.

In his statement, Di María reflected on the journey, writing, “The last qualifying match has arrived for me. I cannot express in words how much the applause from the people in this recent time fills my soul.” He thanked his teammates, whom he credited with shaping his career, as well as the fans and his family, who have supported him through every moment.

Di María also addressed recent incidents of crowd trouble, emphasizing that the focus should always remain on enjoying the game, “Unfortunately, we cannot overlook the events that occurred in the stadium… where the only thing that should have happened is watching and enjoying a match within the folklore of football.”

As he prepares for his last international competition, Di María wrote, “The Copa América will be the last time I wear the Argentine jersey. With a heavy heart and a lump in my throat, I bid farewell to the most beautiful thing that happened to me in my career.”

Di María’s contributions to Argentine football have been monumental. His pivotal performances include scoring two goals in the 2022 World Cup final and netting the decisive goal that secured the Olympic gold medal for Argentina in 2008. A key teammate to Lionel Messi across various tournaments, Di María has been integral to Argentina’s successes in four FIFA World Cups and four Copa América tournaments.

His farewell marks the end of an era for Argentina, with fans and teammates alike paying tribute to a player who dedicated 16 years to the national team.