Argentina captain Lionel Messi has revealed his desire to see Angel Di Maria end his international career with a goal against Colombia in the Copa América final on Sunday.
Di Maria announced, in November, he would be bringing an end to international commitments after dawning La Albiceleste’s colours for 15 years.
Ahead of what would the 36-year-old’s final game for the world champions, Messi wants his teammate to be on the scoresheet once again, like he did in the continental final to win it against Brazil in 2021 and against France in the World Cup final in 2022.
“Who knows, maybe he’ll score another goal in the final like he did in all the previous ones he’s played in. It would be extraordinary,” Messi told Direct TV Sports in an interview, also adding that the team still hopes he will reverse his decision.
“We always tell him that if everything goes well, we have playoff games coming up. Nevertheless, ‘Fideo’ [Di Maria] has made up his mind and there’s nothing that can change it.”
Di Maria has netted 31 goals in 144 appearances for Argentina, appearing in six Copa Américas and four World Cups.
He also netted the winning goal in Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Nigeria to win Olympic gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
