In a moment that has captured the hearts of football fans worldwide, Ángel Di María, one of Argentina’s. greatest-ever players, has returned to his boyhood club, Rosario Central, after an illustrious 18-year career in Europe. Announced on May 29, 2025, and celebrated with a tearful unveiling on July 7, 2025, at the Gigante de Arroyito stadium, Di María’s homecoming is more than a transfer—it’s a deeply personal journey back to his roots in Rosario, Argentina. With fans searching for career highlights, transfer details, and the emotional weight of this move, this feel-good story is dominating football conversations. In this comprehensive blog post, we explore Di María’s remarkable career, the challenges he overcame to return, his emotional presentation, and what this means for Rosario Central and Argentine football.
A Legendary Career: Di María’s Path to GreatnessÁngel Fabián Di María, born February 14, 1988, in Rosario, is widely regarded as one of the greatest wingers in football history. Known for his dazzling dribbling, pinpoint playmaking, and relentless pace, Di María’s career is a tapestry of triumphs across Europe and with the Argentine national team. His journey began at Rosario Central, where he joined the youth academy at age four and made his professional debut in 2005 at just 17. After 39 first-team appearances, he moved to Benfica in 2007 for €6 million, marking the start of his European odyssey.
Over the next 18 years, Di María amassed an astonishing 30 club trophies, including:
- UEFA Champions League (2013-14 with Real Madrid)
- La Liga (2011-12 with Real Madrid)
- Five Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain
- Primeira Liga and two Taça da Liga titles with Benfica
- Domestic cups in Spain, France, Portugal, and Italy (with Juventus)
Internationally, Di María earned 145 caps for Argentina, scoring in the 2022 World Cup final against France, the 2021 Copa América final, and the 2008 Olympic final, securing two Copa América titles (2021, 2024), a World Cup, and an Olympic gold medal. His iconic chip in the 2008 Olympics and his goal in Qatar 2022 are etched in football history. Despite retiring from international duty after the 2024 Copa América, Di María’s legacy as a national hero remains unmatched.
The Road Back to Rosario: Overcoming Threats and ChallengesDi María’s return to Rosario Central was no easy feat. In 2024, his dream of rejoining his boyhood club was derailed by chilling death threats from drug gangs in Rosario, a city notorious for violent crime and drug-related conflicts, located 300 kilometers north of Buenos Aires. A particularly harrowing incident involved a pig’s head with a bullet and a note threatening his daughter Pia if he returned to Central. “Those months were horrible. We could only sit there and cry each night over not being able to carry out that dream return,” Di María revealed last July.
Despite these fears, Di María’s resolve strengthened. After completing his second stint with Benfica, where he scored three goals in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup before their round-of-16 exit to Chelsea, he signed a one-year deal with Rosario Central as a free agent. The club’s announcement, accompanied by a heartfelt video with Di María saying, “Hello, I’m back,” resonated deeply with fans, who flooded social media with messages of joy and pride.
Rosario Central’s president, Gonzalo Belloso, described the return as a “dream” for the club, noting that negotiations had been ongoing for over a year. The club, which finished top of Group B in the 2025 Argentine Primera División’s first phase, sees Di María as a transformative figure as they begin the second phase on July 13, 2025, aiming for their first league title since 1987.
An Emotional Unveiling: Tears and GratitudeOn July 7, 2025, Di María was unveiled at Rosario Central’s Hall Centenario and Gigante de Arroyito stadium, a moment that brought the 37-year-old winger to tears. Surrounded by fans, family, and the press, he struggled to hold back his emotions, saying, “This is more than I ever dreamed of. Coming home after so long is something very special. It was what I wanted. To play for Central again.” He expressed his ambition to win the Argentine Primera División, the “only thing missing” from his glittering trophy cabinet, and described his first training session as feeling “like it was the first time.”
Di María’s connection to Rosario runs deep. Born to parents Miguel and Diana Hernandez, he grew up in a working-class family, helping at a local coal yard alongside his sisters, Vanesa and Evelyn. His hyperactivity as a child led a doctor to recommend football at age three, and by four, he was with Central’s youth setup. After moving to Europe, he bought a house for his family, a testament to his “family man” values. His emotional Instagram post, featuring photos with his loved ones in Central’s yellow-and-blue colors, captured the intimate joy of this homecoming.
A touching detail emerged when Di María shared a message from his close friend and fellow Rosario native, Lionel Messi. “Leo wrote to me recently. He waited a bit because my phone was blowing up, but he congratulated me, wished me luck, and told me he was happy that I could make my dream come true,” Di María said. Their bond, forged through years of national team success, adds a layer of warmth to this story, with fans dreaming of a future Rosario derby featuring Messi, who played for rivals Newell’s Old Boys as a youth.
What This Means for Rosario Central and Argentine FootballDi María’s return is a game-changer for Rosario Central, a club with a passionate fanbase but only four league titles, the last in 1987. His experience and skill—evident in his four goals at the Club World Cup—make him a talisman for coach Ariel Holan’s squad. “He’s one of the reasons I’m at the club today,” said head coach Gonzalo Garcia, highlighting Di María’s influence. With a Copa Santa Fe match against 9 de Julio looming, fans are eager to see “El Fideo” dazzle in the Argentine Primera División, a league known for its physicality and fierce rivalries, particularly with Newell’s Old Boys.
Beyond the pitch, Di María’s homecoming is a cultural moment for Argentine football. His decision to return despite lucrative offers from MLS or Saudi clubs underscores his love for Rosario and Central. Fans are searching for clips of his iconic goals, from his 2009 Europa League assists at Benfica to his World Cup heroics, alongside updates on his integration into the squad. Social media posts on X reflect the excitement.
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