Di Maria’s International retirement has been one that left many football fans uncertain after Di Maria declared his intention to retire from international football after the 2024 Copa America win.

However, Angel Di Maria announced his retirement from international football after winning the 2024 Copa America in the final against Colombia.

Angel Di Maria’s illustrious career with the Argentine National team is a story of determination and hurdles.

DI MARIA’S INTERNATIONAL RETIREMENT: EARLY YEARS WITH THE NATIONAL TEAM.

Angel Di Maria’s international career began on September 6, 2008, when he made his debut for Argentina against Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier. Although, he was just 20 years old at the time.

FIRST GOAL

Di Maria scored his first goal for Argentina on October 14, 2009, in a friendly match against Germany.

The match was played at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany. Although, Di Maria came on as a substitute in the 67th minute and scored his first goal just 13 minutes later, in the 80th minute.

The goal was a stunning left-footed shot from outside the box that curled into the top corner, leaving the German goalkeeper with no chance. Argentina won the match 1-0.

FIRST ASSIST

Afterwards, Di Maria’s first assist for Argentina came on October 10, 2009, in a World Cup qualifier against Bolivia.

The match was played at the Estadio Antonio V. Liberti in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Di Maria provided the assist for Sergio Agüero’s goal in the 16th minute, which gave Argentina an early lead. Argentina won the match 2-1.

In his early years with the national team, Di Maria also played in the 2010 World Cup, where Argentina reached the quarterfinals.

He scored one goal in the tournament, against Switzerland in the round of 16.

IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCES

As a result, Di Maria’s impressive performances in the 2010 World Cup and subsequent friendlies earned him a starting spot in the Argentina team.

He further became known for his pace, skill, and creativity on the wing, providing numerous assists and scoring crucial goals.

In 2011, Di Maria played a key role in Argentina’s Copa America campaign, scoring one goal and providing two assists as the team reached the quarterfinals.

The 2012-2013 season was a breakthrough year for Di Maria, both with Real Madrid and Argentina.

Furthermore, he scored 7 goals and provided 17 assists for Real Madrid, helping the team win the La Liga title.

For Argentina, Di Maria scored 3 goals and provided 5 assists in 2012, including a crucial goal against Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier.

By 2013-2014, Di Maria had established himself as one of the world’s top wingers.

He scored 4 goals and provided 7 assists for Real Madrid, helping the team win the UEFA Champions League.

For Argentina, Di Maria scored 2 goals and provided 4 assists in 2013, including a crucial assist against Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier.

Afterwards, Di Maria’s exceptional form continued into the 2014 World Cup, where he played a key role in Argentina’s run to the final.

Di Maria’s performances in the 2014 World Cup were outstanding, as he scored one goal and provided two assists in the tournament.

He was named to the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team and won the Bronze Ball award as the third-best player in the tournament.

DI MARIA’S INTERNATIONAL RETIREMENT: HIGHS AND LOWS WITH THE NATIONAL TEAM.

After the World Cup, Di Maria suffered a thigh injury that kept him out for several weeks. Although he returned to action in October 2014 but struggled to regain his form.

In 2015, Di Maria suffered another injury, this time to his groin, which kept him out for several months.

Afterward, he returned to action in March 2015 and slowly regained his form.

In August 2015, Di Maria joined Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of €63 million. He quickly regained his form, scoring 10 goals and providing 18 assists in his first season with the club.

For Argentina, Di Maria scored 2 goals and provided 3 assists in 2015, including a crucial goal against Colombia in a World Cup qualifier.

Di Maria played a key role in Argentina’s Copa America Centenario campaign, scoring one goal and providing two assists as the team reached the final.

However, the team lost the final against Chile on penalties. The losses were consistent as Di Maria and the national team lost the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals.

It was followed by their early exit in the 2018 WC after losing their round of 16 against France with Angel Di Maria scoring a goal and providing an assist as the team lost 4-2.

DI MARIA’S INTERNATIONAL RETIREMENT: SUCCESSES WITH THE ARGENTINE TEAM.

Indeed, amid darkness, light is near. The darkness and concurrent final losses that plagued Di Maria and the Argentine National team finally came to an end.

It all started when they won the 2021 Copa America against Brazil courtesy of Angel Di Maria’s goal in the 2nd half which was enough to seal the victory and hand Di Maria his first major international trophy.

Afterward, the team faced Italy, the winners of the Euros, in a match that ended 3-0 in favor of Di Maria and the Argentine national team. Di Maria and the Argentine team added the Finallisima to their trophy cabinet.

What seemed to be a fluke was beginning to seem real as afterwards Di Maria and the Argentine National team went further to win the 2022 World Cup against France, in a match that’s poised to be one of the greatest World Cup finals.

Di Maria assisted the opener by winning a penalty and afterward scored a spectacular goal in the first half of the game.

He ended his World Cup campaign by scoring one goal and registering 2 assists.

DI MARIA’S PERSONAL AWARDS AND TROPHIES.

Angel Di Maria International retirement marks the end of an era. Throughout his illustrious career, he registered 145 appearances, 31 goals, and 32 assists via transfermrkt. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy.

“El Fideo” leaves behind a remarkable legacy. His dedication, skill, and passion inspired a generation of footballers and fans worldwide.

TROPHIES AND PERSONAL AWARDS

– 2024 Copa America.
– 2022 Fifa World Cup.
– 2022 Finallismsa.
– 2021 Copa America.
– Olympic Gold Medal (2008).
– Argentine Footballer of the Year (2014).

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Angel Di Maria’s retirement from international football is one that has left fans with mixed feelings as we all wanted to see him don the Albiceleste blue colours in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

But, He decided to call it time on his illustrious career with the La Albiceleste. Going through his contributions, stats, awards and trophies, one can say Di Maria exited the international stage with his head held up high.

How would you describe Di Maria’s career as an Argentine player? Let me know in the comment section.

To cap off Angel Di Maria’s International retirement, let’s go back in time to his most stunning goals with the Argentine national team.

Jorginho’s Early Life

Jorginho, also known as Jorge Luiz Frello Filho Cavaliere OMRI, is a professional football player who currently plays as a central midfielder for Premier League Club Arsenal and the Italian national team. He was born on December 20, 1991.

Jorginho’s Parents And Family

Jorginho was raised by his parents in the southern Brazilian coastal town of Imbituba’s port. His father, who was still relatively unknown, was well known for being quite harsh. Jorginho, who was six years old at the time, witnessed his parents’ ongoing marital problems and subsequent divorce. At some point, his father arrogantly abandoned the family, leaving young Jorginho and his mom to make a meager living on their own.

Before having Jorginho, Maria, Jorginho’s mum, made a vow to herself that if she had a son, she would do all in her power to make sure he became a professional football player. Maria, whose own football career ended at the amateur level without fulfillment, said those things out of grief and resentment.

Jorginho has said that his mum inspired him to love football. Jorginho nearly quit the game and sought to relocate back to Brazil after learning that he was being financially taken advantage of by his representative while playing for the Verona youth squad, but he credits a psychological phone call with his mother with giving him the motivation to persevere and carry on playing.

Jorginho’s Footballing Career

Jorginho, who had just turned 15 when he immigrated to Italy, started his football career with the Verona youth club before being brought up to the main squad. He began to play football for the Verona youth team in 2007 and continued there through 2010. He was elevated to the Verona senior team in 2010.

Jorginho was loaned to Sambonifacese for the 2010–11 campaign. He was on loan to A.C. Sambonifacese of Serie C2 in June 2010. He represented the Veneto Club during his first full senior season. He appeared in 31 games for the club, making one goal and 10 assists from his holding midfield position.

Jorginho relocated to Napoli in January 2014, and not long after that, he won the Coppa Italia, as well as the  Italiana. In all, he played 160 matches for the team. 

Then, in 2018, Jorginho moved for £50 million to Chelsea, where he also carried the UEFA Europa League in his debut season and the UEFA Champions League in the following campaign.

Jorginho has signed with Arsenal from Chelsea in a deal of £12million. The Italian international cost the Gunners £10 million upfront and an additional £2 million in add-ons. He was given shirt number 5. He made his debut at Wembley Stadium in the 2018 FA Community Shield on August 5, 2018.

Arsenal signed Jorginho because their (Arsenal) their £ 60 million bid for Brighton star Moises Caicedo was rejected by the Seagulls. The Gunners were forced to consider backup plans for the remaining few hours. This may have been the reason for Arsenal’s choice to chase Jorginho instead, something they have been successful in achieving. Before he signed for Arsenal, Jorginho’s current deal was to expire on June 30, 2023.

Jorginho’s Net Worth And Earnings

Over the years, he has made a lot of progress in his football career. Along with his achievements on the field, Jorginho’s wealth has increased. Jorginho makes a lot of money playing football professionally. Deals, bonuses, rewards, and endorsements provide the majority of his earnings. Jorginho’s projected net worth is £16 million as of 2023, and he earns a salary of £6 million. Additionally, Jorginho makes $135,000 every week, or $7.1 million yearly.

Jorginho is rumored to be enjoying a luxurious lifestyle in a multimillion-dollar London mansion. He frequently drives his Ferrari 812. The vehicle is worth around $330,000 more.

Jorginho’s Relationship

Jorginho has at least one past relationship. In 2017, he tied the knot with Natalia Leteri. Vitor, Jax, and Alicia were the couple’s three children. But in 2019, the pair secretly called it quits. The football player is more concerned with pursuing his professional goals than starting a new relationship. He has a private lifestyle and is content with his lot in life.

However, Currently, he is dating the British singer and reality TV personality Catherine Harding. She is a well-known individual on social media. Her family is from the United Kingdom’s London Borough of Enfield

Jorginho’s Religion

Jorginho practices Christianity. His horoscope sign is Sagittarius.  He is a multiracial citizen. He obtained Italian citizenship as a result of being descended from Lusiana, Veneto, with the help of his paternal great-grandfather Giacomo Frello.

Jorginho’s Style of Play

He can play as a deep-lying playmaker or a defensive midfielder. Jorginho is renowned for his calm attitude and adaptability as a player, allowing him to play in any central position. He is typically used as the central midfielder in a three-man midfield due to his work rate, skill, tactical awareness, ability to dissolve down possession, creativity, and passing accuracy. Due to his positional awareness, understanding, and eye for a pass, he is fond of performing both in a box-to-box role and in a defensive midfield role as a ball winner.

His typical position is that of a deep-lying playmaker ahead of the defense, or what is described as the register position in Italian football slang. This gives him more time on the ball and allows him to dictate the pace of his team’s play with his short, accurate, lateral crossing game on the field.

Jorginho’s Stats

After Jorginho joined Chelsea FC in 2019, Jorginho has appeared in 125 Premier League matches. In their 60 victories and 25 defeats, he has 19 goals and five assists.

Jorginho’s Play At International Level

Jorginho has played for Italy at the international level, earning his senior debut in 2016 and his competitive debut the following year. He played for the Italy team that captured UEFA Euro 2020, and his efforts earned him a spot on the tournament’s All-Star team. He won the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award in 2021 and finished third in the Ballon d’Or.

Jorginho’s Honours And Awards

In the official 2021 Ballon d’Or rankings, Jorginho was placed third. After taking home the Champions League for Chelsea and European Championship titles for both club and country in two months in 2021, the 31-year-old had an extraordinary year. 

Jorginho’s Awards include:

• Carried the Coppa Italia with Napoli in 2013–14.

• won the Suppercoppa Italiana in 2014 with Napoli

• carrying the UEFA Europa League with Chelsea in the 2018/19 season.

• won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea in 2020–21.

• lifted the UEFA Super Cup in 2021 with Chelsea

• carried the 2020 UEFA European Championship with Italy

Jorginho credits Xavi, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Andrea Pirlo, and others as his footballing role models. His buddies gave him the nickname Haginho because they figured the Romanian player Gheorghe Hagi was his childhood hero.

Jorginho’s Height And Weight

As of May 2022, Jorginho has a height of 5 ’11”. He weighs 69 kg in total. He has a muscular physique. His hair is dark brown, and his eyes are green. He has a straight sexual preference.

Eden Hazard’s retirement from professional football was announced on October 10, 2023, at the age of 32. He stated that he wanted to focus on spending more time with his family and seeking out new experiences after an injury-plagued four-year spell at Real Madrid.

Eden Water Hazard aged 33 years old, has been a lingering name in the football world for over 16 years re playing for Liile, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and the Belgian national team. With his exceptional dribbling skills and vision on the field, he has captivated fans worldwide and is regarded as the best player of his generation.

However, Eden Hazard’s retirement from football has left many wondering what’s next for this talented player. In this article, we’ll delve into Hazard’s childhood, relationships, transfer news, club, stats, net worth, and awards.

EDEN HAZARD’S RETIREMENT: CHILDHOOD AND EARLY BEGINNINGS.

Born on January 7, 1991, in La Louvière, Belgium, Eden Hazard grew up in a family of football enthusiasts. His parents, Thierry and Carine, encouraged his love for the sport from a young age. Hazard’s talent was evident even as a child, and he joined the local club Royal Stade Brainois at just five years old.

As he honed his skills, Hazard’s dedication and natural ability caught the attention of scouts from top Belgian clubs. At 14, he moved to Tubize, where he spent two years before joining Lille’s prestigious academy in France.

Eden Hazard was born into a family of football enthusiasts in La Louvière, Belgium. His parents, Thierry and Carine, encouraged his love for the sport from a young age. Hazard’s father, Thierry, was a semi-professional footballer himself, and his mother, Carine, was a sports enthusiast.

Hazard’s childhood was marked by a strong passion for football, which was shared by his three brothers, Thorgan, Kylian, and Ethan. The four brothers would spend hours playing football in their backyard, fostering a competitive spirit that would drive them to succeed in the sport.

Thorgan, the eldest of the Hazard brothers, is also a professional footballer and plays as an attacking midfielder for Borussia Dortmund. Kylian, the third brother, plays for Cercle Brugge in the Belgian Pro League. Ethan, the youngest, is still developing his skills in the youth ranks.

Growing up, the Hazard brothers were inseparable, both on and off the pitch. They would often play for the same local clubs, with Eden and Thorgan even sharing a room at the Lille academy. This close bond has remained strong throughout their lives, with the brothers frequently supporting each other at matches.

EDEN HAZARD’S RELATIONSHIP AND PERSONAL LIFE

Eden Hazard’s personal life has been subject to scrutiny, particularly his relationships. In 2012, he married Natacha Van Honacker, and the couple has three sons together. However, their relationship has faced challenges, with Hazard’s infidelity making headlines in 2019.

EDEN HAZARD’S RETIREMENT: EDEN HAZARD’S TRANSFERS: A JOURNEY FROM LILLE TO MADRID.

Eden Hazard’s transfers have been a subject of interest for football fans and pundits alike. From his early days at Lille to his high-profile move to Real Madrid, Hazard’s journey has been marked by excitement, anticipation, and sometimes controversy.

_Lille (2007-2012)

Eden Hazard’s career kick-started from Lille as he was a member of their youth team till he rose through the ranks to be a first-team player.

– Achievements:

– Ligue 1 title (2010-2011)
– Coupe de France (2010-2011)
– UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year (2009, 2010)
– UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

_Lille to Chelsea (2012/13)_

Hazard’s first major transfer move came in 2012 when he left Lille for Chelsea FC. The Belgian midfielder had already made a name for himself in the French league, helping Lille win the Ligue 1 title and Coupe de France. Chelsea signed Hazard for a reported £35million, a significant fee at the time.

_Chelsea (2012-2019)_

– Achievements:

– Premier League title (2014-2015, 2016-2017)

– Europa League (2012-2013, 2018-2019)
– FA Cup (2018-2019)

– League Cup (2014-2015)

– PFA Players’ Player of the Year (2014-2015)

– FWA Footballer of the Year (2014-2015)

_Chelsea to Real Madrid (2019)_

Afterwards in 2019, Hazard made the highly anticipated move to Real Madrid, joining the Spanish giants for an initial £89 million, with add-ons potentially increasing the fee to £120.80 million. The transfer was seen as a major coup for Real Madrid, who had been pursuing Hazard for several years.

_Real Madrid (2019-2023)_

– Achievements

– La Liga title (2019-2020, 2021-2022).

– Spanish Super Cup (2019-2020)

– FIFA Club World Cup.

– Copa Del Rey.

– UEFA Champions League (2021-2022)

– UEFA Super Cup (2022-2023)

_Termination of Contract (2023)_

In June 2023, Real Madrid announced the termination of Hazard’s contract, two years before its expiration. The decision came after a decline in form as a result of series of injuries, which limited Hazard’s playing time and effectiveness.

EDEN HAZARD’S RETIREMENT : A JOURNEY THROUGH HIS CLUBS AND COUNTRY.

EDEN HAZARD’S STATS FOR BELGIUM

Hazard made his debut for the Belgian national team on November 19, 2008, in a friendly match against Luxembourg. He was just 17 years old at the time. His first goal for Belgium came on October 7, 2011, in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Kazakhstan.

Since then, Hazard has become a key player for Belgium, earning 126 caps and scoring 33 goals. He played a crucial role in their 2018 World Cup campaign, scoring three goals and providing two assists as Eden Hazard and the golden generation finished third at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Eden Hazard’s personal life has faced scrutiny, particularly his relationships and high-profile feuds. One notable example is his complicated history with Kevin De Bruyne, his former Belgian teammate.

The tension between Hazard and De Bruyne reportedly began during the 2018 World Cup, where Belgium finished third. The two players had differing opinions on team tactics, leading to a rift in their relationship.

In 2020, De Bruyne publicly criticized Hazard’s leadership and work ethic, stating that he “doesn’t care” about the Belgian team. Hazard responded by accusing De Bruyne of being “jealous” of his success.

Despite efforts to downplay the feud, the tension between the two players remains palpable. However, Eden Hazard announced his retirement from international football on the 10th of December, 2022.

– Debut: November 19, 2008, vs. Luxembourg (friendly)
– First Goal: October 7, 2011, vs. Kazakhstan (Euro 2012 qualifier)

– Achievements:

– 2018 FIFA World Cup third place
– UEFA Euro 2016 quarterfinalist
– Appearances: 126
– Goals: 33
– Assists: 36

EDEN HAZARD’S STATS AT LILLE

Hazard began his professional career at Lille, making his debut on September 24, 2007, against Lens in Ligue 1. He scored his first goal for the club on the same day, announcing his arrival in the football world.

During his five seasons at Lille, Hazard developed into one of the most promising young players in Europe. He helped the team win the Ligue 1 title and Coupe de France in 2011, earning individual accolades such as UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year and UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

– Debut: September 24, 2007, vs. Lens (Ligue 1)
– First Goal: September 24, 2007, vs. Lens (Ligue 1)

– Achievements:

– Ligue 1 title (2010-2011)
– Coupe de France (2010-2011)
– UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year (2009, 2010)
– UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
– Appearances: 194
– Goals: 50
– Assists: 53

EDEN HAZARD’S STATS AT CHELSEA

Hazard joined Chelsea in 2012, making his debut on July 18, 2012, in a friendly match against Seattle Sounders. His first goal for the club came on August 18, 2012, in a Premier League match against Wigan Athletic.

At Chelsea, Hazard spent seven successful seasons, winning numerous titles, including two Premier League titles, the Europa League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup. He was also named PFA Players’ Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year in 2015.

– Debut: July 18, 2012, vs. Seattle Sounders (friendly)
– First Goal: August 18, 2012, vs. Wigan Athletic (Premier League)

– Achievements:

– Premier League title (2014-2015, 2016-2017)
– Europa League (2012-2013)
– FA Cup (2011-2012)
– League Cup (2014-2015)
– PFA Players’ Player of the Year (2014-2015)
– FWA Footballer of the Year (2014-2015)
– Appearances: 352
– Goals: 110
– Assists: 85

EDEN HAZARD’S STATS AT REAL MADRID

Hazard joined Real Madrid in 2019, making his debut on September 14, 2019, against Levante in La Liga. His first goal for the club came on October 5, 2019, against Granada in La Liga.

Despite struggling with injuries, Hazard has still managed to win several titles with Real Madrid, including the La Liga title, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.

– Debut: September 14, 2019, vs. Levante (La Liga)
– First Goal: October 5, 2019, vs. Granada (La Liga)

– Achievements:

– La Liga title (2019-2020)
– Spanish Super Cup (2019-2020)
– UEFA Super Cup (2019)
– FIFA Club World Cup (2019)
– Appearances: 73
– Goals: 7
– Assists: 15

EDEN HAZARD’S NET WORTH, TROPHIES, AND AWARDS

Eden Hazard, the Belgian midfielder, has accumulated a significant net worth, impressive trophy collection, and numerous awards throughout his illustrious career.

Net Worth

Eden Hazard’s net worth is estimated to be around £100 million ($130 million). His primary source of income is his professional football career, with significant contributions from:

1. Salaries and bonuses from his clubs (Lille, Chelsea, and Real Madrid)
2. Endorsement deals with top brands (Nike, Adidas, and others)
3. Sponsorship agreements
4. Licensing and merchandise sales

Trophies

Hazard has won numerous trophies with his clubs and country, including:

1. Ligue 1 title (2010-2011) – Lille
2. Coupe de France (2010-2011) – Lille
3. Premier League title (2014-2015, 2016-2017) – Chelsea
4. Europa League (2012-2013, 2018-2019) – Chelsea
5. FA Cup (2018-2019) – Chelsea
6. League Cup (2014-2015) – Chelsea
7. La Liga title (2019-2020, 2021-22) – Real Madrid
8. Spanish Super Cup (2019-2020) – Real Madrid
9. UEFA Super Cup (2019) – Real Madrid
10. FIFA Club World Cup (2019) – Real Madrid
11. FIFA World Cup third place (2018) – Belgium
12: UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2019/20) – Real Madrid.

Awards

Hazard has received numerous individual awards and accolades, including:
1. UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year (2009, 2010)
2. UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
3. PFA Players’ Player of the Year (2014-2015)
4. FWA Footballer of the Year (2014-2015)
5. Premier League Player of the Season (2014-2015)
6. Chelsea Player of the Year (2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2015-2016)
7. Belgian Golden Shoe (2017, 2018)
8. UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season (2018-2019).

FINAL THOUGHTS

Eden Hazard’s retirement from professional football has garnered reactions from football fans as we all wanted to see more from the Belgian Superstar.

However, he decided to close the curtain on what can be termed a beautiful career.

If you were to describe Eden Hazard’s career with one word, what would it be?  Let me know in the comment section.

Let’s go back in time to enjoy Magical Eden Hazard Moments.