Angel Di Maria Opens Up About the Lingering Effects of Three Final Losses

Angel Di Maria, one of Argentina's most accomplished footballers, has bravely opened up about the emotional challenges he faced after losing three major finals with his national team. Despite his ultimate success in winning the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 Copa America, Di Maria admitted that the scars from those defeats still haunt him.

Three Heartbreaking Losses: A Dark Period in Di Maria's Career

The road to glory was paved with immense heartbreak for Di Maria. Argentina reached the finals of the 2014 World Cup, but after a tense and closely contested match, they lost to Germany. This painful defeat was followed by two more agonizing losses in Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016. Di Maria’s role in these events was pivotal, but the emotional weight of these failures was heavy to bear.

Dealing with Pain: Medication and Mental Health Struggles

The emotional toll of these losses was profound, and Di Maria has admitted that he is still taking medication to cope with the pain. Although he has managed to reduce the dosage, the memories of those final defeats continue to impact his mental health. In an interview with Infobae, Di Maria revealed, "Because of that, I’m still taking medication. I’ve been able to reduce the dosage. I’m doing much better, but these things stay with you. They leave a mark."

A Tribute to Past Generations of Argentina Players

Reflecting on Argentina’s history, Di Maria took the opportunity to honor the contributions of those who came before him. He emphasized that many of his former teammates, who came so close to winning in 2014, 2015, and 2016, were often forgotten by the public despite their significant efforts. "Who remembers the boys that reached that World Cup final and didn't win? Very few; it seems unfair to me," Di Maria said. He further added, "Who is talking about those kids? Nobody. Very few can tell you how they played."

The Legacy of Past Heroes

Di Maria made sure to clarify that Argentina’s recent successes in football were not just the result of the current team but were also deeply rooted in the hard work of the previous generations. "When we became world champions, when we won the Copa América, I always said that those trophies were also [thanks] to the previous generation," he noted. His words were a tribute to the players who fought valiantly but fell short of glory in those previous tournaments.

A Peaceful End to His International Career

At 37, Di Maria retired from international football after representing Argentina for 16 years. Although the decision was tough, he expressed no regrets. Reflecting on his journey, he said, "I was there for 16 years [with the national team], and it is as if I had been in a club." Despite the temptation to return, Di Maria feels fulfilled with the accomplishments he achieved during his international career.

A Legacy of Triumph and Grace

Di Maria made it clear that he has no regrets about his decision to retire. With his achievements in both the World Cup and Copa America, Di Maria is content knowing that he achieved everything he set out to do with Argentina. His career has been full of ups and downs, but in the end, the triumphs outshone the heartbreaks, and Di Maria will always be remembered as a key figure in Argentina's footballing history.