A global star, who has already won the main titles in the world of football, becomes emotional again. Ángel Di María, at 37 years old, returned to Rosário Central, the club that revealed him, and helped the team to guarantee their presence in the 2026 Copa Libertadores.
The confirmation of the place came after Rosario beat Sarmiento 1-0, last Friday (24/10), in a rescheduled game of the Argentine Championship. The goal was scored from the penalty spot by Di María himself.
— I thank my teammates who scored 35 points last semester and gave everything for the (Rosário) shirt. I feel like a child. They make me feel like a child. They made me feel like one of them from the day I arrived. Sometimes it’s difficult when you come from abroad after so long, but they made me feel really good from the first day — he said, emotionally, after the match.
Has Di María played in the Libertadores before? THE Sporting News responds.
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Ángel Di María, about returning to compete in the Copa Libertadores after 19 years.
“I came back (to Argentine football) for this, to have the chance to play in the Libertadores. I thank my teammates who scored 35 points last semester and gave everything for the shirt (Rosário). I feel… pic.twitter.com/cDbUfRw07r
— LIBERTA DEPRE (@liberta___depre) October 24, 2025
Has Di María played in the Libertadores?
The 2026 Libertadores will not be the first in Di María’s career. In 2006, Fideo – as he is known – still a teenager, competed in the competition, however, he was not even a member of Rosario Central, who finished last in their group at the time.
With a guaranteed presence in the 2026 Libertadores, Di María will be the first world champion to compete in the South American competition since Ronaldinho Gaúcho, who defended Atlético-MG in the 2013 edition, when he helped Galo become champion.
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