Ángel Di María, one of the most talented and influential left-footed players of recent decades, gave an exclusive interview to the ballondor.com team in Arroyo Seco, the training ground of his beloved Rosario Central.

Far from the hustle and bustle of Europe’s major capitals, yet with the same passion as ever, ‘Fideo’ reflects on his return to South American football and the joy he derives from competing in the Copa Libertadores with the club he loves.

During an intimate chat, the world champion looks back on the major milestones of his career. From the unconditional support he received from José Mourinho during times of uncertainty, to the historic conquest of La Décima with Real Madrid and his golden years at Paris Saint-Germain.

He also treats us to a fascinating first-person analysis of the rivalry of our era: what it means to have played alongside and shared a dressing room with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two titans who have dominated the race for the Ballon d’Or over the last twenty years.

With enviable inner peace, Ángel speaks candidly about the vital role of his family and the mindset needed to overcome criticism, his view on the new generation of the Argentina national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and how he forged his place on his country’s footballing hall of fame through resilience and legendary goals.

An unmissable interview with a star who gave his all to football and who today simply seeks to remain happy with a ball at his feet at his beloved Rosario Central.

- After almost 20 years in the European elite, you returned home. And today you’re welcoming us to Arroyo Seco. How are you finding life at Rosario Central at the moment?

It’s a pleasure to welcome you to my home. More than happy, more than content with everything that’s happened from the day I arrived until now. Not just in football terms, but personally as well. The family… We’ve all settled in 100% in Rosario. I have no other word for it but ‘happiness’ since the day I arrived.

- Is this what you imagined Argentine football to be like?

I expected it to be different, but for me... I thought it would be hard to adapt, that it would be a struggle because I’d seen that with many players when they returned. But honestly, it wasn’t.

I settled in really well; the club was in good form with players of the highest quality. All that helped me adapt more quickly and feel more at ease. That helped me a great deal.

If you arrive in a situation where the team isn’t doing well, it’s much harder, but that wasn’t the case... It was much easier for me.

- You played in the Champions League... Now it’s your turn to play in the Copa Libertadores... Any differences?

You have to win it (laughs). It’s like that, it’s the same. You dream of the big things. It was unique for me to have been able to win and lift the Champions League. Any player who goes from South America to Europe dreams of winning the Champions League or something important. I had the chance to do it.

Nowadays, playing in the Libertadores is incredible for both me and the club. The only thing we want is to win it.

- Throughout your career, and even now, you’ve had to deal with criticism... How did you get over that? And how important were the psychologist and your family?

Family is everything. The psychologist helped me a lot to realise that outsiders are just noise and that there’s nothing else but me on the football pitch. And family is the support you have.

At the time, I had my mum (his mother). And when I started living with Jorgelina, she and the girls were the main thing keeping me from falling apart in those moments. It did me a world of good.

Everything I went through back then is part of the game, part of football. You have to try to adapt to that. If you don’t adapt, you lose… I realised how things were. In the end, things turned around and I ended up going out on a high note.

- You played for huge clubs. You were managed by legendary managers. One of them was Mourinho. What can you tell us about him? What was it like working with Mourinho?

Everything I am today, Europe has given me over the years. I learnt by playing with the best and having the best managers who push you to the limit. Playing in major competitions like the Champions League helps you grow a lot.

I became who I am thanks to the players I had alongside me, and also thanks to Mourinho, who was the one who stood by me at a time when things weren’t going my way.

I went to the 2010 World Cup as a youngster, with Diego Maradona, who also backed me all the way, but things didn’t go my way...

Mourinho, in the end, stood up for me; he wanted me to go (to Real Madrid) anyway, he believed I’d perform... And it all worked out. I ended up performing at a very high level. From then on, I started to grow.

- It’s been 12 years since La Décima, a significant Champions League victory in Real Madrid’s history. What memories do you have of it?

It was La Décima... Afterwards, the club kept on winning, and that’s lovely, but... La Décima was the one we’d been longing for. It was a milestone the club wanted to reach, because we’d been falling short in the final stages and just couldn’t quite get there.

In those days, before that final, you could sense in Madrid that it was the right moment to win that Champions League. And it was something unique, because of everything I experienced. Because it was the first final. It was with Real Madrid, which, whatever some may say, is the biggest club in the world.

And to be able to achieve it, with the players I had alongside me, was something very special.

- At that Real Madrid, you played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. But you also played with another legend like Lionel Messi. How would you compare the two?

Cristiano was pure, constant hard work, day in, day out... Always giving his all to try and match Leo (Messi), who was all natural talent, a gift from above.

The other one (Cristiano) was all about constant hard work to match him and also, at times, try to get past him. That’s why he won so many Ballon d’Ors too... There was a time when people debated whether the Ballon d’Or should go to whoever won the Champions League or to whoever scored more goals than the other.

Later on, the two were very evenly matched, each with their own strengths. But when it comes to hard work, Cristiano is something else.

- What differences do you see between the two of them?

For me, they’re the two best in history in this era, aren’t they? Then there’s Diego, too... But between the two of them, the difference is what one has won and what the other has won.

For me, Leo is better than Cristiano because he has a natural talent; he doesn’t have to work constantly to match or equal someone else.

I had the best relationship with both of them, and I also assisted both of them. It was something unique. The best thing that could have happened to me was playing with two people who have been competing for the Ballon d’Or over the last 20 years.

- In this World Cup year, do you think either of them could win the Ballon d’Or?

Well… it’s normal… At the end of the day, there isn’t a Messi or a Cristiano anymore; that’s over. For me, there won’t be a rivalry as great as that one. That’s why I think that if either of them wins the World Cup or plays a starring role, they’ve got a good chance…

"Messi is better than Cristiano because everything he has is natural"

- PSG are making their mark in Europe under Luis Enrique. What can you tell us about your time in Paris?

My time in Paris leaves me with wonderful memories. Having spent seven years there and won 18 titles. Having been able to play alongside the players I played with… Having Neymar, Messi and Mbappé in the same team. They were incredible years.

From when I arrived with Ibrahimovic, right up until I left with Kylian there. They’re unforgettable memories. It was something unique. I have nothing but words of happiness and gratitude for everything I experienced there.

- The World Cup is coming up and it’s inevitable to ask: don’t you feel like being there?

No. Honestly, in the first few call-ups since I decided not to go back (to the Argentina national team), I did have that strange feeling. I’d made the decision, but I had that strange feeling of not being in the squad.

But it was only one or two call-ups, then that was it... I’ve relaxed now; I knew what I’d decided. To this day, I stand by that decision. That’s it, the decision’s been made.

- And in this new role, are you going to travel to the United States?

I’d like to. I haven’t decided yet. I need to check the dates here (at the club), when we finish and when I have to be back. My holiday time... But, obviously, I’d like to go.

- How do you see the Argentina national team heading into this World Cup?

I think the new generation can give that push to the older generation, who are still 28 or 29 years old – they’re not that old either... I think that young generation can offer a lot, because they push, because they’re looking for a place, because they want to play...

And it all comes down, once again, to what Scaloni has always said: the only undisputed starter is Messi. The rest either play or they don’t. And he didn’t just say it. He said it and he stuck to it. Like when he picked Enzo (Fernández) for the World Cup – he picked him and he earned his place in the starting line-up.

No one’s place is guaranteed, and that means the rivalry or competition within the squad is 100%, in every training session, in the squad camp, in the respect. That’s what keeps the national team at the level it’s at.

- Which teams do you see as contenders to win the World Cup?

Recently, several have joined the mix thanks to players who have come through... France is one of the contenders because they keep producing players and remain at a high level. And I think Spain could also make a name for themselves; they’re in great form, though we’ll have to see how some of the injured players fare.

Portugal is another side with good players... With João Neves and Vitinha, who bring a different touch to the game and make the difference. There are three or four teams that will be in contention.

- You scored in every final, you stepped up at key moments. I ask you this from the bottom of my heart: do you consider yourself one of the most important players in the history of Argentine football?

I don’t know, I’ve been through a lot. Through bad times that you don’t forget either. There were times when I was heavily criticised, but I think those goals defined my time with the Argentina national team.

And anyway, having scored in so many finals and having played a part in those goals puts you in an important place in the history of the Argentina national team. Obviously, it’s not for me to say. You hear that some people put you on the podium, and for me that’s a source of pride.

You try to do everything to go down in history. It’s not just about passing through. Life ended up giving me everything I have because I love playing football, because I did it that way. And if today I’m on that podium of history, it’s because I ended up earning it.

- Football gave you everything, and you gave everything to football. When you look back in a few years’ time, how would you like the world and the fans to remember Ángel Di María?

Just as I am. The same humble, quiet lad who loves playing football and is happy with a ball. Nothing more.

- The other day you wrote to Jorgelina (your wife): "Here’s to more dreams together". What dreams do you still have left to fulfil in football?

To keep enjoying myself here in Rosario. To go for the Libertadores. That’s one of the dreams I’ve had, because last year I already wanted to be there but couldn’t return due to circumstances in Rosario. That had left a bit of a sour taste.

In the end, I came back and we managed to qualify for the Libertadores. We’re in great form now (his team have qualified for the Libertadores last 16). And when you’re in great form, you dream big. Central are doing everything they can to make that happen. They want to strengthen the squad again to keep performing at the highest level.

When you hear your president saying those things and you see the club is where it is, fighting in every competition, it fills you with hope and makes you want to keep dreaming. That’s why that’s one of the dreams.

- Will Di María be here until...?

Right now, until June, because my contract is running out and I have to renew it now (laughs). If everything’s fine, we’ll renew it now. I think for another year; we’re taking it year by year, as long as I feel good. That’s the main thing.

I’ve said it many times; it happened with the Argentina national team too. I felt it was time to leave because a new generation was coming through. I left and I’m proud of that decision.

It’s the same here; I’ll carry on until my body tells me: ‘That’s enough, you’ve given it your all. You can leave with peace of mind.’ And that’s when I’ll make that decision.

I’m happy coming to train, having a good time, laughing with the lads. I like that. Lots of those who retire tell you they miss that. And I like that. I’m happy with a ball, playing.

I don’t like pre-season because I don’t like running (laughs). If you like, we can run with the ball. I like that; I’m happy playing football.

Everything I’ve achieved is because the only thing that mattered to me was enjoying myself, playing and having a good time. There were times when I had a really tough time, but I never stopped enjoying myself, smiling... There are good times, there are bad times...

But when there are good times, you have to enjoy them all the more. And today is one of those days, which is why I’m still enjoying myself. Everything I’ve achieved is thanks to that.