LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Angel Di Maria has received appreciation from Cesar Luis Menotti, who also stated that the winger should receive the same praise as Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi.
La Albiceleste’s third world championship, ending a 36-year drought, was made possible by the winger’s outstanding performance at the Qatar World Cup.
Prior to scoring against France in the World Cup final, he had already scored against Brazil in the Copa America final in 2021 and against Italy in the Finalissima in 2022.
The manager who guided Argentina to their first World Cup title in 1978, Menotti, believes that El Fideo deserves to share a pedestal with players like Messi, Diego Maradona, and Mario Kempes.
El Fideo is well-liked by the fans because of his performance for the national team in pivotal matches.
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“He is a player who merits the same acclaim as the game’s greatest players. He shares the same standing with Messi, Maradona, and Kempes in my opinion.
“He is, in my opinion, the player who has best represented Argentine football everywhere he has traveled,” according to the former Argentina manager, who spoke with Super Deportivo on Radio Villa Trinidad 97.9.
“Wherever you go, Di Maria played there… those who understand soccer respect him in an incredible manner, and those who know him love him a lot.
“I was happier for him than for me. For me, he’s an example, as great of a role model as the best in history that you care to compare.”
Although Messi has revealed that he has no intention of playing at the 2026 World Cup, Menotti believes that Inter Miami’s new signing could excel in the marquee tournament in three years’ time given his fitness and technical abilities.
“Physically, technically and age-wise, Messi can easily play in the next World Cup. He is very healthy, he trains and takes good care of himself,” he said.
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“He is impeccable, he has no injuries. If I were 36 years old and I were him, I would play until I was 40 years old!
“Then we will have to see his state of mind, maybe he wants to enjoy his freedom a little more. Messi, wherever he goes, will always have freedom of action, if if he doesn’t win. He will always play well. I have never even seen him just play normal.”
When Di Maria left Juventus, there was talk that he may join Messi at Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer (MLS).
However, recent events suggest that Di Maria has rejected a move to the United States and will instead join his old team Benfica this summer.
