Angel Di Maria will leave Europe after spending 18 years of his playing career in the continent.
The World Cup winner spent one season at Manchester United, while also representing Benfica, Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
Angel Di Maria joined United in 2014, signing a five-year deal for a transfer fee of £59.7 million.
Louis van Gaal decided to give the Argentine the number 7 shirt, which was previously worn by club legends such as George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.
He left Real Madrid after winning one La Liga title, two Copa del Reys and the Champions League – but United were not going to witness this player playing at his peak. Instead, they got quite the opposite and quickly realised it was a mistake before cashing in.
Di Maria went on to win five Ligue 1 titles at PSG before winning the World Cup with Argentina in 2022.
Angel Di Maria playing against Leicester City in the Premier League
Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images
Angel Di Maria bids farewell to Europe with heartfelt message
Although Di Maria isn’t remembered too fondly at Old Trafford because he didn’t succeed at United, there is no denying that he has had a huge impact on European football since arriving as a youngster 18 years ago.
The experienced midfielder has officially parted ways with Benfica, the club that was instrumental in thrusting him onto the global football stage. After all, that is where he gained the attention of Real Madrid before eventually ending up at United.
More United News
Turning to social media network Instagram, Di Maria has issued a statement to announce that he is leaving European football, where he has lived for 18 years of his life.
Di Maria stressed that he is grateful to every club he represented during that time, with the Argentine sharing a picture including himself wearing the famous United shirt.
The statement read: “Today it’s time to return home, my Europe career is over. Many years passed, many clubs passed, I’m leaving complete with so many unforgettable lived experiences.
“It was 18 years in Europe, where I not only enjoyed living in beautiful cities, if not huge clubs, many wonderful people, I was filled with friends that I will carry forever in my heart, each and every one of the amazing moments I lived made it what it was i am today. Also getting hit, crying, getting angry, getting up and moving forward was part of my football training and growth and as a person without a doubt.
“I will not get tired of thanking every club where I was for all that they did for me, Benfica, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint Germain and Juventus, for helping me grow as a player and as a person, in every club I was lucky to find good teammates and people from staff (cooks, utilities, physicians, doctors, and all those people that no one sees or knows and work tirelessly to help us) I will never forget you.
“In 2007 I arrived very young, with my parents and sisters, with fears, uncertainties, but little by little I grew, matured and today I find myself surrounded by the love of them plus that of my wife and my daughters.
“Thank you very much Portugal, Spain, England, France and Italy for opening the doors of your country to me.
“So long, Angel.”
Di Maria played more than 700 games in Europe, and he leaves with 30 trophies under his belt.
What next for Di Maria?
Di Maria will return to his boyhood club Rosario Central, as per BBC Sport.
The 37-year-old began his career at Rosario in 2005 and he announced his return on Thursday.
Di Maria previously spent two seasons with Rosario before moving his career to Europe, but now he is back with more experience to help the younger players make that same step.
He was close to rejoining Rosario as a free agent last summer but increasing drug-related violence in the region and several threats against him and his family prevented that from happening.