Ángel Di María has confirmed his departure from Benfica, bringing an end to his second spell at the Portuguese club after two years. In an emotional message shared on social media, the Argentine winger announced that his journey with the Lisbon-based side is coming to a close.
On Saturday, May 17, Di María played his final league match for Benfica—a 1-1 draw against Braga. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the ending he or the team had hoped for. The result saw Benfica finish second in the league, narrowly missing out on the title to Sporting CP, who secured the championship with just two more points.
Disappointed by the outcome, Di María expressed his frustration, “This is not the result we wanted in our pursuit of the title. We worked so hard throughout the year, and it’s painful to end such a long season like this.”
The 37-year-old then officially announced his Benfica exit, adding:
“This was my last league match in this jersey. I’m proud to have worn it once again.”
Di María previously played for Benfica from 2007 to 2010 before moving on to major clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, PSG, and Juventus. He returned to Benfica in 2023, rekindling his connection with the club that helped launch his European career.
However, this isn’t his final appearance for Benfica just yet. He is set to play in the Portuguese Cup final against Sporting CP on May 25. Additionally, he will represent the club in the FIFA Club World Cup in June–July before becoming a free agent.
According to Argentine outlet TyC Sports, Di María may return to his boyhood club, Rosario Central. Meanwhile, several European sources have reported that MLS side Inter Miami—home to Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez—could be a possible destination.
