Angel Di Maria (foto: Getty Images)
Angel Di Maria has informed Benfica he will leave at season’s end, turning down the Club World Cup and ending his remarkable European career at age 37.
Angel Di Maria, one of the most decorated Argentine players of his generation, has decided to leave European football after informing Benfica he will depart the club at the end of the 2024/25 season.
The 37-year-old has enjoyed a standout campaign in Lisbon, scoring 15 goals and providing 9 assists across 38 appearances in all competitions. Despite his age, Di Maria remained a key figure in Benfica’s attack and consistently featured in the starting lineup.
Benfica are among the clubs set to compete in this summer’s expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. However, even that prestigious opportunity was not enough to convince Di Maria to extend his stay in Europe.
According to Portuguese outlet Record, Di Maria has made up his mind to continue his career outside of Europe. While retirement is not yet on the table, the next chapter of his career will be written far from the elite stages of UEFA competitions.
A return to his boyhood club Rosario Central in Argentina now appears unlikely due to ongoing security concerns in his hometown, where Di Maria and his family have previously received threats from organized gangs.
Di Maria leaves behind a glittering European career that spanned top clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, PSG, and Juventus. His journey began at Benfica more than a decade ago, and it is there that he now closes the European chapter of his story—on his own terms.