Following Argentina's narrow defeat to Spain in the World Cup final, Angel Di Maria has urged Lionel Messi to reconsider his potential retirement from international football. Despite Messi's age of 39, Di Maria believes that the legendary forward still has much to contribute to the national team.

Di Maria's Encouragement for Messi

After Argentina's 1-0 loss in extra time, attention turned to Messi's future with the national team. While it is widely speculated that this may have been his last World Cup appearance, Messi has yet to announce his decision regarding retirement. Di Maria, who stepped away from international duty following Argentina's triumph in the 2024 Copa America, expressed his hope that Messi will continue playing. “Yes, Leo should continue for as long as he wants,” Di Maria stated in an interview with TNT Sports. “I think he can keep going for many more years.”

Messi's Impact Despite Age

Di Maria emphasized that Messi's performance throughout the tournament showcased that age should not be a limiting factor. He remarked, “At 39 years old, he’s proven he’s one of the best and still the best in history, with no ceiling.” Messi's contributions were significant, as he scored eight goals and provided four assists during the tournament, reaffirming his role as a key player in Lionel Scaloni's squad.

Although Argentina's journey ended in disappointment, Di Maria highlighted the joy of their semi-final victory over England, which he described as a moment that transcended the eventual loss to Spain. “The win over England was a great joy for all of Argentina,” he reflected. “I am grateful to everyone in the Argentina squad forever.” As the national team navigates the aftermath of the World Cup, Di Maria's call for Messi to continue playing resonates with many fans who hope to see the iconic player don the Argentine jersey again.