Ángel Di María

Rosario Central

At age four, Di María joined Rosario Central. As he had already committed to playing for his local club, Torito, 35 footballs were given in compensation. Di María made his professional debut on 14 December 2005 in Rosario's final fixture of the Apertura, a 2–2 draw away to Independiente, by replacing Emiliano Vecchio. He scored for the first time on 24 November 2006 in the following season's Apertura in a 4–2 win at home over Quilmes, a minute after replacing Leonardo Borzani at half-time. After playing at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada, Boca Juniors made a bid of US$6.5 million for him. He was also approached by English club Arsenal, a move that fell through due to the United Kingdom's strict rules on issuing work permits to players from outside the European Union.

Benfica

Di María was transferred to the Portuguese side Benfica in July 2007, where he played as a winger. He was signed as a replacement for Benfica's departing captain, Simão, who joined Atlético Madrid earlier that summer. Benfica paid Rosario Central €6 million for 80% of his sports rights and 50% of the sports rights of Andrés Díaz. Later, in August 2008, the Portuguese club paid an extra €2 million for the remaining 20%, but re-sold 10% to GestiFute. Di María had his breakthrough in the 2009–10 season thanks to the trust placed in him by manager Jorge Jesus. On 22 October, in the Europa League group stage match against Everton, he provided a hat-trick of assists…

2007–2008: Success at youth level

In 2007, Di María was picked to play for the Argentina under-20 team. He was capped for the 2007 South American U-20 Championship in Paraguay. In 2007, he was called up for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. They went on to win the tournament with Di María scoring three goals in the process. On 28 January 2008, Di María and some of his under-20s teammates were called up for the Argentina Olympic football team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He scored the extra-time game-winning goal on a pass from Lionel Messi in the 105th minute of his team's 2–1 quarter-final win over the Netherlands. On 23 August, Di María scored the game-winner – a chip over the goalkeeper from the edge of the area – in the 57th minute of Argentina's 1–0 victory against Nigeria to capture their second-straight Olympic gold medal in the final game of the Olympic tournament.

2008–2010: Senior debut and early national team career

On 6 September 2008, Di María made his debut for the Argentina senior team in a match against Paraguay. On 19 May 2010, Di María was selected by Argentinian manager Diego Maradona in the 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. On 24 May, Di María scored his debut international goal in a 5–0 friendly win over Canada. At the World Cup, he helped Argentina reach the quarter-finals, playing in all five of Argentina's matches and starting four of them. Following the World Cup, on 11 August 2010 Di María scored…

Di María has been describes by several publications and football figures as one of the best wingers and creative players of his generation, and as one of Argentina's notable players. He is predominantly left-footed and has played on either flank, as an attacking midfielder and occasionally, in central midfielder, including under Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. Assessments of his playing style have highlighted his dribbling, ball control, pace, movement, stamina, passing, crossing, vision and set-piece delivery. During his time at Real Madrid, Mourinho frequently deployed Di María on the right wing despite his preference for the left, while Di María himself noted that the role allowed him to cut inside and shoot while still rotating positions with Ronaldo. Ancelotti reinvented Di María as a central midfielder during Real Madrid's 2013–14 campaign, a tactical adjustment that proved instrumental in the club winning the Champions League. His stamina, versatility and work rate in the role were widely praised, with Ancelotti highlighting his ability to transform matches through his intensity. Despite his ability, however, Di María has often struggled with injuries throughout his career. Managers, teammates and opponents have praised Di María's technical ability and intelligence. Ahead of the 2025 Club World Cup, Chelsea defender Levi Colwill described his technical ability as "crazy", while Benfica manager Bruno Lage highlighted his creativity, quality in transition and enduring…

Di María was born on 14 February 1988 in Rosario, as one of three children of Miguel di María and Diana Hernandez, and grew up in Perdriel. As an infant, he was unusually active, and on the recommendation of a doctor was signed up for football at age three. He also helped his parents with their work at a local coal yard along with his two sisters, Vanesa and Evelyn. Due to the low income his family earned, purchasing football boots and keeping up with Di María's hobby was difficult for his parents. He considers himself to be a "family man" and has used a significant amount of his salary to "give back" to his family. After being transferred to Benfica, he asked his father not to work any more and purchased a house for his parents and sisters.