"Benfica is pure love"

INTERVIEW

As he ends his time at Benfica, Di María spoke of a “wonderful” relationship that ‘changed’ his life “forever” in an interview with the club's media outlets.

Upon returning to Argentina, it was with emotions running high that the player recalled memorable moments from his five-year career – 2007-2010 and 2023-2025 – wearing the eagle on his chest, culminating, at the age of 37, with 217 games, 51 goals, and 5 titles: 1 National Championship (2009/10), 3 League Cups (2008/09, 2009/10, and 2024/25), and 1 Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup (2023/24).

A case of “pure love” at first sight that began in 2007, when, very young and still seeking a reputation in international football, he began to become an idol of Benfica fans, a status that was fully confirmed and consolidated in 2023, the year in which Di María fulfilled his desire to return to the Estádio da Luz, his “home in Europe,” to once again wear the Sacred Mantle.

In his two spells at the Glorioso, there was one common factor: his “eternal gratitude” to the fans. The affection he received from Benfica fans will remain forever in the Argentine's heart, who said he believes he managed to “repay on the pitch” the energy transmitted from the stands.

A final flight as a player for the Eagles by a timeless star who, in this same interview, addressed various topics from the past, present, and future.

You are returning to Rosario Central. Had you planned to end your European career at Benfica and finish your playing career at the club where you started?

I said it many times when I came to Benfica. I also said that I wanted to come back, that I wanted to wear this jersey again. For me, it's like home, because it was my first club in Europe. A place where I arrived at the age of 18, with my mother, my father, my sisters. And from the first day, I felt the affection and love of the people. I spent three wonderful years there, and when I had to leave, it was difficult. It was very difficult for me, but I had this hope of one day wearing this jersey again. I think I'm leaving with the joy of having returned, of having kept my word to come back to Benfica. I also said that I really wanted to finish my career at Rosario Central, my club, my home, where I trained, where I started. So, I think it's a more than dream ending.

What is your plan: to play for another year, or do you feel you have the strength to play even longer?

II don't know, I'm going to sign a one-year contract and see how I feel, but I think I'm still capable of performing at a high level. I think I'm proving that here at the Club World Cup, and I hope to be able to play for a few more years, but it will depend on how I feel.

What do Di María's tears mean in the Portuguese Cup final?

It was difficult because I had dreamed of winning the 39th title and also winning the Cup. We had won the League Cup, which made me very happy, and I hoped to win all three titles. But anyway... It wasn't possible. It was a difficult moment for me. It was a combination of things, knowing that it was my last game in Portugal, in Lisbon, in the city where I was very happy. Not being able to give that joy to all Benfica fans hurt me a lot. But I think I'm leaving with peace of mind because I managed to win everything there was to win in Portugal. I won everything, all the competitions in the five years I was there, and I was able to come back and prove that I really kept my word and wore this jersey again.

It was a tough day for Benfica fans. And it was even tougher for Di María, as it was his last game on Portuguese soil.

So it was really difficult, because I knew it was the last game, not being able to give them that joy. The stadium was incredible. The atmosphere, everyone from Benfica supporting from the first to the last minute, and not being able to give them that joy, let's say... I'm leaving feeling calm, but at the same time a little sad that I couldn't give them any more joy.

The image of Di María after scoring against FC Porto [at Estádio da Luz], making that “together” gesture. What did this moment mean, this interaction with Benfica fans?

It's the affection they showed me over the five years. It's also showing that same affection I have for them, that I left, that I came back... That I wanted to wear this shirt again, that I could have gone anywhere in the world and decided to come back to Benfica again. And I think it also hurt me a lot not to be able to play more games at Estádio da Luz due to injuries. But that's football. I think the only thing I wanted was to show a little of my love for all Benfica fans, and I believe I achieved that.

Do you remember that moment at Estádio da Luz, during the presentation, with thousands of Benfica fans? What did that magical moment mean to you?

The truth is that I never thought that could happen. It was a very important moment because, for a foreign player who is not Portuguese, returning to Benfica 15 years later and being welcomed in that way is something very difficult to happen. As I said before, I tried to repay the affection they showed me in some way on the field, and for me, that day will remain in my history. Because that has happened to me very few times. It will certainly happen again, now at Rosario Central. Only in Paris have I experienced another moment like that, so beautiful, and that will also remain in my memory.

How would you describe your relationship with Benfica fans? You are an idol for many young people.

From day one, I have nothing but words of gratitude for Benfica fans. I arrived at the age of 18, a nobody, having won nothing. I arrived with my mother, my father, my sisters, and people adopted me as if I were one of their own. For me, it was incredible. That's why I wanted so much to wear the Benfica jersey again after so many years. Honestly, I am eternally grateful to them. It's something incredible for me. I hope to return one day in another capacity and continue to feel that affection.

You have played for major clubs around the world. How would you describe Benfica fans, who are everywhere? It's difficult to find similarities, isn't it?

It's difficult. I've had the opportunity to play against all the big clubs in every country. Because that's the reality, that's what drives my career, and honestly, wherever we go, whether it's the Champions League, the Club World Cup, or the Cup, we're always at home, always playing at home, always with Benfica fans everywhere. And not only that, when I'm on vacation anywhere in the world, Benfica fans always show up, and honestly, that's something incredible.

How would you sum up these two years at Benfica? Was it worth it?

It is always worthwhile to return to the place where we feel at home. As I said before, the only thing that saddens me is not having won more titles, not having brought more joy to the Benfica fans who, from the first to the last day, always supported me, traveled everywhere, and, honestly, that is the only thing that saddens me, but I know that they know I gave my best, as I always do.

Was that 4-1 victory over FC Porto, with two goals from Di María, your best moment in these two years?

I think that during that period, a month and a half, two months, I was at a high level, feeling very good, very confident. Things flowed naturally. It's difficult to score two goals in a clássico, to enjoy playing football, because it was an incredible game in every sense, so I think that having achieved at least this victory at home against Porto will certainly go down in the club's history. For me and for all Benfica fans.

Do you still remember arriving at Benfica in the 2007/08 season? What kind of young man was this who crossed the continent, left his family, and joined a club like Benfica?

It's difficult when you have to leave the country. I said it many times on the day I decided to come to Benfica, I told my family that either they all came, or I wouldn't come. And my family agreed to come and take on that responsibility, knowing that they would depend on me, on what I was capable of doing. But anyway, that's one of the most beautiful moments of my career, because from the day I arrived, I signed a contract with this club and my life changed forever.

The goal you scored for Benfica, with Diego Armando Maradona in the stands at Estádio da Luz, was another very memorable moment. What memories do you have of that?

Amazing! I think I experienced many historic moments here, many beautiful moments. That Diego [Armando Maradona] came to Estádio da Luz to see me...

... Diego Armando Maradona side by side with Eusébio...

So, for me, it was a unique moment. I was eager to play, to prove my worth. The 2010 World Cup was just around the corner, and I hoped to be able to participate. And that depended a lot on that game. I also managed to score a beautiful goal. He left there happy. Thanks to Benfica, thanks to that goal at that moment, I had the chance to go to my first World Cup.

Tell us a little about your relationship with Nico Otamendi. How is this relationship that goes beyond the pitch, beyond the four lines?

With Nico [Otamendi] and his family. We are very close. We have known each other for a long time from the Argentine national team, from trips, from World Cups, from Copa América tournaments. But being able to spend time with him at the same club is very different from being on the national team, isn't it? The truth is that I got a much better impression of him and his family than I already had. I spent two wonderful years with them, sharing barbecues, dinners, birthdays, unforgettable moments, lifting a trophy. I think it was two incredible years with him, with his family, and wearing this jersey, which is obviously a privilege.

Di María is one of the most decorated players in world football, with 36 titles to his name. Looking at this record, where do you think he stands in football history?

That question is more for others than for me. It's very difficult to answer. What I can say is that, just like in that video, I arrived as a child, and today I'm leaving as an adult, and everything that happened during my career was experienced in the same way as when I was 18, now that I'm 37. Every title was a source of immense joy, whether it was the World Cup or any other title. Since I started playing, the only thing I wanted was to enjoy myself on the pitch. I'm only interested in enjoying myself, having fun, smiling, being happy, and everything that has come my way is thanks to the joy I try to bring to people and myself on the football pitch. So, the titles and where I am today, whether I'm at the top, at the bottom, or in the middle, depends on what people want to say. For me, what matters is my family, what I've done during my career, what I've enjoyed in my career, and the rest is just the rest.

You played with some great players. You played with Messi on the Argentine national team, you played with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid. Who was the best player you saw play in all those years?

It's very difficult to choose one. I think I've had the opportunity to play with a generation of incredible players, because I've played with Leo [Messi], I've played with Cris [Cristiano Ronaldo], I've played with Ibra [Ibrahimović], I've played with Rooney, with Van Persie, with Mbappé, with Neymar... I find it very difficult to choose one. They are all monsters, all top players in the rankings of the best, some for more years, others for less, but I had the opportunity to play with almost all of them or with all of them, if you can say that, so it's difficult to choose one. I have that privilege and I was lucky enough to play with great players, with strikers, with players who made the final pass, with players who had incredible talent. And that's what I take with me, that opportunity and that luck of having been able to play with so many stars.

Who was the most difficult player, in this case a defender, that you faced?

A defender? Normally, I always get past everyone [laughs], but I think... I haven't played against him. Only in training. I think Cuti Romero, who plays for Tottenham, is one of the most difficult players or defenders to get past in every sense, because of his speed and strength. So, I think he's the player.

And which coach had the biggest impact on you?

It turns out that in my career I've always had good moments followed by slumps, and I've always been lucky to have a coach who helped me get back on track. There are several. I'm afraid I'll forget someone, but if I have to start with one, it's Don Ángel Tulio Zof, the coach who gave me my debut in the First Division, who saw me playing in the Liga Rosarina for Rosario. He was the one who discovered me and took me straight from my level to the First Division. I trained for four days and played on the weekend. So, for me, Don Ángel is the person who gave me the opportunity, and thanks to him, I am who I am today.

Fernando Santos, Camacho, Quique Flores, Jorge Jesus, Roger Schmidt, and now Bruno Lage. How would you describe the coaches you've had at Benfica?

Each one had their own qualities. First, I am grateful to Fernando Santos because he was the one who brought me to Benfica, who saw me at Rosario Central, at the Under-20 World Cup with Argentina, and who brought me here. So I will always be grateful to him. Then I had Camacho and Quique, who used me less, who made me play much less because they brought in their own players. Camacho brought in “Cebolla” Rodríguez and Quique brought in Reyes. So it was a little harder to play, but that's okay. I think that was also very good for me because I grew little by little, with training, with the players, with experience. It was good for me. And then Jorge Jesus arrived, who gave me the opportunity to play, who made me an undisputed starter, who gave me the confidence I needed, and thanks to him, I made the leap and was able to go to Real Madrid. I think he was a coach who brought out the best in me and allowed me to explode that year. Then, when I came back, I had [Roger] Schmidt and now Bruno Lage. They are completely different. Bruno Lage is much more aggressive when talking to players to get that energy out of them. Schmidt was much calmer. He tried to get the best out of everyone at all times, much calmer. But they are both great coaches. Unfortunately, with neither of them was it possible to win many titles, but that's football. But I think the club always ends up making good choices.

He played for Benfica, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain. Where did we see the best Di María?

I think my third year here was a great year. Then there was my fourth year at Real Madrid, when we won the Champions League. It was a spectacular year, unforgettable in every way, because of everything I did in a position I wasn't used to playing in, which was in the middle. And I think that my best years were at Paris Saint-Germain. Those seven years I spent in Paris were unforgettable, with titles almost every year, giving my best in every game, setting historic records for assists and goals. So I think those years were some of the best.

You have 36 titles. You also have that characteristic of being a decisive player in big games, in big finals. If you had to choose the best game of your career here, which one would it be?

The final against France in the World Cup. I think the 75 minutes I played were 75 incredible minutes, in which even I couldn't believe, at times, the things I did, the way I felt on the field. I think it was the best game I've ever played in my career.

And at Benfica, in those five years, which game will you never forget?

I don't know if it's because it's the most recent one, but I think it was the game against Porto at home, where I scored two goals. That was definitely the best game, where I felt best, because I scored two goals. It was a classic match and it was at the Estádio da Luz, which is much more beautiful.

What is the best goal of your career, in your opinion?

The best goal of my career? I have several [smiles], but if I have to choose one, because I'm here today, it would be that rabona goal I scored in the Europa League for Benfica against AEK Athens. I think it was because of how it happened, the speed and everything else, it was an incredible goal.

By the way, there are so many goals, as I said, it's fair to choose three. One is already there, which are the other two?

The other two? I think I can choose the goal from the World Cup final and what it represents, and also the goal from the final against Brazil at the Maracanã in the Copa América. Because it was Argentina's first Copa América in 28 years without winning a title, and that lob, which is characteristic of me, is also one of my favorites.

We are talking about the best moments of your career... And the most difficult moment of your career, is there one that stands out?

From 2014 to 2016, almost until 2017, I had many injuries playing for the Argentine national team. Those were the most difficult times for me. It was very difficult to keep my head up during those tough times, when I was always trying to give my best for my country and always wanted to do my best. And things ended up happening to me, injuries that prevented me from keeping my head up. But I always had my family by my side, who supported me and helped me move forward. So, in that sense, I am a lucky person. The bad thing was those years with the national team.

At Benfica, what was the best and worst moment?

For me at Benfica, even though I didn't win titles sometimes, everything was wonderful. From when I arrived at the age of 18 until I leave at the age of 37, the five years have been unforgettable. Why was that? Because I've always felt at home, both the first time and this second time. I don't know why, it's hard to put into words how you feel. I don't know. The two places where I always felt very comfortable were Rosario and Lisbon. They're two very similar cities, they're small, where it's easy to get around and the people are very similar, with affection, with everything. So it's an incredible city and I find it hard to say that I've had a bad time, because sometimes, when you don't win on the pitch, you have people of the pitch who consider you an idol, a legend, and that makes you very happy.

You're also returning to Argentina, of course, for your family. What do these people mean to you?

[Di María sees pictures of his family and gets emotional]

It's very strong, isn't it? They're the people who have always been with Di María.

It's difficult because these are the people who have always been there. This video is from here. Always traveling with me. Always by my side. They've never left me alone. They're the people who have always been there. And nothing else. I think what we were talking about before, everything I've won, everything I have, everything I've done during my career, is thanks to the support of my family, my wife, my two daughters and, for me, that's the most important thing. In the end, it's something very beautiful. Today I have them here with me, they're here in Tampa, they're enjoying it with me, they're going to the games, they're still cheering for Benfica like they did on the first day. Honestly, they mean everything to me.

What was the best league you played in?

It's hard to say which Championship was the best. Each one has its own characteristics. I felt very comfortable in all of them. I've had the chance to play in all the best European Championships. That gives me peace of mind, having been able to play in all the leagues I wanted to play in. So I'm happy to have achieved that.

Speaking of your relationship with President Rui Costa, whose teammate you were, how important was he in Di María's return to Benfica?

He was very important because he was the one who started the whole thing so that I would come back. I had already decided to leave Juventus, and the year before he had already spoken to me, he wanted me to come here, he wanted me to be here and we didn't have much to talk about, just one conversation and in the end I came. There wasn't much to talk about. I told him whatever you want. The only thing I want is to wear the Benfica jersey again. I want to be happy in Lisbon again. And I want to show my daughters where it all began, where I started when I was 18 and, really, it's been two wonderful years. Thank you to [President] Rui [Costa].

How is your personal relationship with the President of Benfica?

As he once said: a father/son relationship. When I arrived here, he had gone back to Benfica to retire and I adopted him as a father. He helped me a lot. I learned a lot from him and, from that day until today, we have the same relationship. We still laugh together, we still talk about football. We talk about lots of things. The truth is that the affection I have for him is very great, just as he certainly has for me. I'm grateful to him for my first time here, because he helped me grow a lot, and for this second time, for opening the doors for me to come back. I only have words of thanks for him and I hope that, in the future, I can also come back here and continue, continue to see him and have the relationship that we have.

Have you ever thought about what it will be like when you return to Estádio da Luz one day?

No, not really. But certainly on the day I return, I will be welcomed in the same way I was welcomed twice before, first when I was 18 and now at 35, when I returned. I think I will be welcomed with the same affection. I see it on social media. I saw it when we lost everything in Portugal this year. I go to the supermarket and people tell me it's okay, that we didn't win, that they're grateful I came back. And that affection will certainly never disappear.

What does Sport Lisboa e Benfica mean to you?

Pure love! It's a love that, from the first day I arrived at 17, almost 18, and now that I'm leaving at 37, I've always felt that this was my home, my place in the world, and I've experienced that with my daughters this year. I had already lived here for a year with my wife when we were younger, and now with my daughters, and they felt incredible in Lisbon. They were more than happy. They cried when we decided to leave, even though they were also excited about going to Rosario. But that reassures me, knowing that not only my parents and sisters, but also my daughter and wife lived happily in Lisbon, and that's why, for me, Benfica is pure love.