Argentina wins third straight tourney, fans honor Di Maria
Argentina won its third consecutive soccer tournament. Fans had another huge reason to celebrate, and they showed it on the streets of the cities. One of them honored Angel Di Maria, who is bidding farewell to the national team.
8:54 AM EDT, July 16, 2024
On the night between Sunday and Monday, Argentina won the Copa America. They needed extra time in the final against Colombia, in which Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive goal to make it 1-0.
The golden generation of Argentinians continues their series of successes. Lionel Messi and company were the best in three consecutive soccer tournaments. They triumphed in two Copa Americas and the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Fans in Lionel Messi's homeland have huge reasons to celebrate after previous disappointments.
After the victory in the Copa America, fans expressed their joy on the streets of the cities. One of the fans decided to change the decor and, perched on the shoulders of a friend, started tinkering with a street name sign. He decided to honor Angel Di Maria. Apart from the first and last name, he covered the sign with the year of the footballer's birth, 1988, and the infinity symbol.
Angel Di Maria ended his career with the Argentina national team and will no longer prepare for the 2026 World Cup. He is 36 and had previously announced that he was making way for younger compatriots.
Angel Di Maria's achievements are impressive. He played for the Argentina national team from 2008 to 2024. He scored goals in three consecutive major tournament finals. He helped Argentina win the long-desired World Cup.
Lionel Messi also honored his national team companion. He asked Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi, another experienced player, to jointly raise the trophy after the Sunday final.
