Ángel Di María is back at his old home. The 37-year-old Argentine has returned to Rosario Central, his boyhood club, after leaving Benfica.
Ángel Di María is back home. At 37 years old, the Argentine winger has returned to Rosario Central, the club where his football journey began.
After his contract with Benfica came to an end, Di María made the emotional decision to return to his roots, fulfilling a lifelong dream he shared with his family: to once again wear the shirt of his beloved boyhood club in the city where he was born and raised.
The news has been met with enormous excitement in Rosario and among football fans worldwide, aware of the deep symbolism of this choice. Di María is not just returning as a player, but as an icon someone who embodies dedication, talent, and loyalty. Speaking through the club’s official channels, Di María expressed his joy in heartfelt words:
“What a joy it is to be home again. What a great happiness to make this dream come true, to live in our beloved Rosario and to wear the Rosario Central shirt. Today is one of the most beautiful days of our lives. That wonderful dream we had has come true, and now more than ever, we want to live with joy and happiness. I love you all so much.”
Di María’s professional career began at Rosario Central, where he emerged from the youth academy before making the move to Europe in 2007 to join Portuguese giants Benfica. In Lisbon, he quickly made a name for himself as one of South America’s most promising exports. His performances earned him a big move to Real Madrid in 2010, marking the start of an illustrious period in Spain.
At Real Madrid, Di María played a key role in one of the club’s most successful eras. He won the Champions League in 2014 delivering a man-of-the-match performance in the final against Atlético Madrid along with La Liga, the UEFA Super Cup, the Spanish Super Cup, and two Copa del Rey titles. His pace, vision, and flair made him a key figure in the team and a favorite among fans.
After Madrid, Di María transferred to Manchester United in 2014. Despite a promising start, his time in England was short-lived, and he moved on the following year to Paris Saint-Germain. In Paris, he enjoyed one of the most consistent and productive spells of his career. He won five Ligue 1 titles, five Coupe de France trophies, four Coupe de la Ligue titles, and helped the club reach its first-ever Champions League final in 2020. Over his seven seasons in Paris, Di María contributed more than 100 goals and 100 assists, becoming one of the most impactful players in the club’s history.
Following his departure from PSG, Di María spent a season with Juventus in Italy before returning to Benfica for one final European chapter. His second stint in Lisbon brought moments of brilliance and a strong emotional connection with a fan base that had never forgotten him.
Despite all his success across Europe, Di María never lost sight of his roots. Even at the height of his fame, he often spoke of his desire to one day return to Rosario Central. Now, with his time in Europe complete, he has made good on that promise not for money or fame, but for love of the game and the place that made him.
His career accolades are immense. Di María has won over 30 major trophies. On the international stage, he won Olympic gold with Argentina in 2008, scored the winning goal in the Copa América final in 2021 against Brazil, and once again found the net in the 2022 World Cup final against France helping Argentina lift football’s most coveted trophy.
But this return to Rosario Central is not simply about winding down a career. For the club and its supporters, it’s a moment of immense pride. For younger players, it’s an inspiration. And for Di María himself, it’s a deeply personal mission to give back to the club that gave him everything, and to finish his career surrounded by the love and passion that first made him fall in love with football.
The upcoming season promises to be historic for Rosario Central. Not just because of the trophies they may chase, but because of the living legend who chose them above all else. For Di María, this isn’t the end. It’s the perfect homecoming, and perhaps the most meaningful chapter of an already extraordinary football journey.
