Di Maria: I don t want to stop young players from retiring from the national team, this is the right decision

Hupu September 9th News Recently, Argentine legend Di Maria, who played for Rosario Central, was interviewed by Argentine media TyC. He also talked about his situation and the current situation of the Argentine national team.

About Argentina national team coach Scaloni

We should give him a lifetime contract. You can look at all his achievements, his coaching performance in the national team, the young players he trained... For example, Thiago Almada from the American League... Now he has become the starter of Argentina and has shined in every game... This is not only his achievements, but also his training of young players and his contribution to the U20 team. It's really great and he deserves recognition.

He is someone I care very much about. He deserves (this honor). He has given all to the national team to this point. He deserves to coach for many more years.

About Argentina has a chance to win the next World Cup

Argentina has been a strong contender for the championship. This is the fact, and this jersey also requires us to do so. All this success and stability… is attributed to only one person, that is Scalone and his coaching team. It is him who urges you to do your best. If he thinks you are not performing well, he will exclude you from the roster of the game. Let players in better form play. He observes every day and makes the best decisions for the team. Players all know that nothing is taken for granted, even if you slacken in a little bit, you will be replaced. This is why the national team can always maintain this high level.

Regarding the decision to retire from the Argentina national team after winning the 2024 Copa America

, I think the timing is right, and now it is the right decision. I think these kids are ready to move on. A new generation in Argentina is on the rise, such as Nico Pas, Garnacho, Mastantuno, Thiago (Almada)…I think they need playing time to stay in the best form for the World Cup. My idea is that after the Copa America ended, my national team career was over, young players had adapted, and some players could help others adapt…it made me very happy. It is my honor to witness this national team.

Regarding Messi, he may have finished his last qualifier with the Argentina national team in Argentina's match against Venezuela. As I said, Messi has not retired yet, and he still has time. This will be his last qualifying cycle, but he still has the World Cup to play, and he will definitely play a few more national team games in the future. That's why I didn't go to that game because I don't think it was his farewell game. I talked to him and sent him a message. This is not a farewell. The World Cup is coming, and there is still a friendly match... Messi still has time. I'm glad he can keep kicking. To me, he is the greatest player of all time and I don't think anyone can surpass everything he wins. He is an Argentinian, and it is our honor. I'm so glad to play football with him.

About I really hope to see Messi playing football in Argentina, it is difficult to persuade him to come and convince him. This is a very personal decision. Many factors can lead to such a decision. He is the best in history and it is difficult to make such a decision. But obviously, if he asked me how it was here, I would say ok. It is a very wonderful thing to be able to play football in Argentina and in your own city. You always hope that everything is fine for him.

But this also means Messi may join the Old Boys of Newell, Rosario Central's stalemate

This has surpassed the boundaries of football, just like Paredes returns to the Boca Youth, knowing that there is a strong competitor on the opposite side...I'm glad they came to Argentina football. I wanted to do this when Pezera, Montiel and Acunia came back, and now I finally got it done.

Being able to come back here at the end of your career and compete at a high level...it is difficult to make a difference here. Of course, I really hope that any world champion or important player from the Argentina national team will be here.

About the end of my career

This is like a perfect movie, without an ending, and it continues. At first I experienced pain, felt powerless, frustrated until everything went well. I'm willing to go through these again just to have such an ending. If the ending was to become the champion with Rosario Central, it would be a perfect movie. I will work hard this year, and I still have a one-year contract. If not, we will continue for another year, haha. We'll see how things go.