Argentina's Angel Di Maria celebrates winning the CONMEBOL Copa America Final soccer match against Brazil at The Maracana Stadium. Andre Borges/Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH/dpaArgentine winger Ángel Di María is returning to his boyhood team Rosario Central after nearly two decades at the top level of European football, the club announced on Thursday.
"Welcome home, Angelito," the Argentine top-flight club said on social media platform X, confirming the 37-year-old's return.
In an emotional video featuring clips of Di María as a young boy and rising star, the club said: "We will continue to rise and fly higher – but we need your wings to do so."
Di María has spent the past two seasons at Benfica. The Portuguese club said he would first participate in the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States before completing his transfer to Rosario Central.
"Participating in the first FIFA Club World Cup represents a special and symbolic moment for both Di María and Sport Lisboa e Benfica," the Portuguese side said, calling it "the end of an extraordinary and remarkable journey between the player and the club."
The winger began his professional journey with Rosario Central in 2001 before launching an illustrious career across Europe. Over the years, he has played for top clubs including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Juventus.
He won the Champions League with Madrid in 2014 and also played a key role in Argentina's 2022 World Cup victory, scoring in the final against France.
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