Coach Lionel Scaloni will present a team without captain Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria after a long time. The two significant absences force the World Cup winning coach to think about a renewed composition of the national team.
The reigning world champions will also be without Angel Di Maria after the veteran winger's international retirement.
The 36-year-old had been in negotiations to join Rosario Central of Argentina but had a change of heart when he and his family received abuse and threats.
"There was a threat at my sister's business: it was a box with a pig head and a bullet in the forehead, and a note that said that if I returned to (Rosario) Central, the next head was that of my daughter Pia," Di Maria told TV station Rosario3.
"I have so many beautiful feelings and I am eternally grateful to this generation and today I am leaving in this way with a title," Di Maria said.
Affectionately known as El Fideo, who has scored historic goals in the last three Albiceleste finals, posted a picture with the Rosario superstar and one of his great partners and teammates in the national team for the last 16 years.
Di Maria, 36, announced in November his plans to retire from internationals after representing his country for 15 years and Messi wants him to get his name on the scoresheet as he did against Brazil to clinch the continental title in 2021 and against France as they won the 2022 World Cup final.
Affectionately known as El Fideo, Di María is a hero, part of a successful Argentine generation that has been prominent over the last decade: from the 2014 World Cup to the 2024 Copa America.
Playing against aging stars like Messi and Angel Di Maria, Valencia thinks Colombia have an advantage.
Coach Lionel Scaloni will present a team without captain Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria after a long time. The two significant absences force the World Cup winning coach to think about a renewed composition of the national team.
The reigning world champions will also be without Angel Di Maria after the veteran winger's international retirement.
The 36-year-old had been in negotiations to join Rosario Central of Argentina but had a change of heart when he and his family received abuse and threats.
"There was a threat at my sister's business: it was a box with a pig head and a bullet in the forehead, and a note that said that if I returned to (Rosario) Central, the next head was that of my daughter Pia," Di Maria told TV station Rosario3.
"I have so many beautiful feelings and I am eternally grateful to this generation and today I am leaving in this way with a title," Di Maria said.
Affectionately known as El Fideo, who has scored historic goals in the last three Albiceleste finals, posted a picture with the Rosario superstar and one of his great partners and teammates in the national team for the last 16 years.
Di Maria, 36, announced in November his plans to retire from internationals after representing his country for 15 years and Messi wants him to get his name on the scoresheet as he did against Brazil to clinch the continental title in 2021 and against France as they won the 2022 World Cup final.
Affectionately known as El Fideo, Di María is a hero, part of a successful Argentine generation that has been prominent over the last decade: from the 2014 World Cup to the 2024 Copa America.
Playing against aging stars like Messi and Angel Di Maria, Valencia thinks Colombia have an advantage.
"It doesn't make much sense to think about when they're gone. Let's enjoy them now, we'll see what happens later. Messi is fine, he's happy. I'm with renewed ideas and strength. It's a nice challenge to defend the title," Scaloni said.