Angel Di Maria is proving that age is just a number. At 38, the former Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid star has returned to his roots with Rosario Central, and he is delivering performances that have captivated the entire Argentine football landscape. His homecoming, after an 18-year stint at the pinnacle of European football, has been nothing short of spectacular.
The winger's impact was on full display in the recent Rosario derby against fierce rivals Newell's Old Boys. With the match locked in a tense stalemate, Di Maria found himself perfectly positioned to meet a falling ball inside the penalty area. He unleashed a stunning left-footed volley that flew into the net, breaking the deadlock and setting his team on the path to a 2-0 victory. Immediately after scoring, he celebrated by forming a heart with his hands towards the camera, a gesture reminiscent of his celebrated days in Lisbon, Madrid, and Paris.
This decisive strike was not an isolated moment of brilliance. Earlier in the season, in August, he had already single-handedly won the previous derby against Newell's with a magnificent 25-yard free-kick that nestled perfectly into the top corner. These match-winning contributions have solidified his status as the most influential player in the current Argentine championship.
Local supporters, who had dreamed of his return since he first left for Benfica in 2007, are overjoyed. Lifelong fan Gustavo Imperiale expressed the collective sentiment, noting that while many players promise to come back, Di Maria actually followed through after achieving everything in the European game. His commitment to his boyhood club has resonated deeply with the Rosario community.
Former Lyon and Rosario Central player César Delgado has been left in awe, declaring Di Maria the best player in the league and a "different" kind of talent. He places the veteran in the same legendary category as World Cup winner Mario Kempes and 1980s idol Omar Palma. Delgado highlights Di Maria's exceptional physical condition and immediate readjustment to the demanding local style, noting his insatiable desire to play every minute.
ESPN's Rosario correspondent, Pablo Pavan, emphasizes the broader significance of Di Maria's presence. He believes the winger's return elevates the entire championship, placing him in the pantheon of Argentine football alongside Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. Pavan suggests that only a hypothetical return of Messi to Newell's Old Boys could rival the excitement Di Maria is currently generating.
The praise continues from local media figures. Humberto Glavinich, a radio host and devoted Central supporter known as "Chino Nosky," uses a vivid metaphor to describe the skill gap. He says Di Maria is essentially playing a different sport, transforming difficult passes from teammates—described as "bricks"—into exquisite "caviar" through his sublime technique. The consensus is clear: Angel Di Maria's homecoming is a fairy tale that continues to write new, thrilling chapters each weekend.
Based on reporting from Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continu.