Angel Di Maria snubs Lionel Messi reunion at Inter Miami: World Cup winner makes surprise post-FIFA Club World Cup move

The dream many fans held of seeing two World Cup champions reunited on American soil has just slipped away.

The dream many fans held of seeing two World Cup champions reunited on American soil has just slipped away. While Inter Miami was actively pursuing the signing of Angel Di Maria, aiming to pair him once again with Lionel Messi, the 37-year-old Argentine has made a decision on where he will continue his career—and it’s a return to where it all began.

Despite his age, Di Maria is showing no signs of slowing down. Currently wrapping up a strong campaign with Benfica, where he’s expected to be crowned Portuguese champion this weekend, the winger isn’t using the title as a swan song. Instead, he’s preparing for one more soccer adventure—a move filled with emotion and purpose, away from Europe’s elite spotlight.

For a time, all signs pointed to Miami. With the FIFA Club World Cup set to take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13, Inter Miami, under David Beckham’s leadership, has been working to fortify its squad. Di Maria was viewed not just as a marquee name, but as the perfect fit for their ambitions and a potential reunion with Messi—a partnership that brought glory to Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.

Reports from TNT Sports Argentina suggested that Inter Miami was actively pursuing Di Maria’s signature, eyeing the MLS summer transfer window (July 24 to August 21) to finalize the deal.

The Herons had hoped to wrap up negotiations before the Club World Cup, ensuring that the veteran could join right after the tournament. The club was said to be working urgently to avoid losing him to rival suitors.

Emotional pull of home

But amid the speculation, one club never left Di Maria’s heart. That club—Rosario Central—was quietly preparing a proposal that no European power or MLS franchise could match in sentiment. This Thursday, renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed it: “Angel Di Maria has officially signed contracts to join Rosario Central.”

“Our story together has more pages to write,” Rosario Central’s followed on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, sealing the long-awaited return of one of Argentina’s most beloved players.

Rosario Central, where Di Maria’s professional journey began, will now become the stage for its grand finale. Though the official presentation will take place after the Club World Cup, the city is already buzzing in anticipation.

Promise fulfilled

Di Maria’s return is more than a soccer transfer—it’s a promise kept. He had long expressed the desire to conclude his career at the Gigante de Arroyito, but past efforts were thwarted by complications, including security concerns and threats to his family that paused talks in 2024. Now, with those obstacles behind him, Di Maria is coming home.

The agreement spans one season, with an option to extend, and his debut is expected during the Clausura Tournament when Rosario Central hosts Godoy Cruz. The occasion promises to be a national celebration, honoring a player who brought Argentina glory and whose club loyalty never faded.