Buenos Aires, July 8 (H.S.): Angel Di Maria, the Argentine football legend, has returned to his hometown club, Rosario Central, after nearly two decades. At 37, Di Maria was officially presented as the club's new player in a press conference in Rosario. He expressed his joy, stating, “This is an incredibly beautiful moment for me. This is the dream I have been pursuing for a long time.” Di Maria signed a one-year contract as a free transfer after leaving Benfica, with an option for extension. He began his professional career at Rosario Central in 2005 before moving to top European clubs, including Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Juventus.A key player for Argentina, he has 145 caps and contributed to the team’s victories in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 and 2024 Copa America.

He remarked, “Returning home after so many years... wearing the Central jersey... is the greatest joy.” Di Maria aims for his family to share in this experience, considering it a dream fulfilled.

Despite concerns last year regarding threats to his family from local gangs, he chose not to comment, focusing instead on his commitment to the team, asserting, “I will retire here, but I still have a lot left in me.”

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar