Messi’s lucky charm is back? Argentina fans delighted at Di Maria’s inclusion in XI for WC final vs France

Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria have been teammates for almost two decades

Photo : AP

Argentina and Lionel Messi fans were delighted after head coach Lionel Scaloni dropped the team news for the 2022 FIFA World cup final against France at the Lusail Stadium. Having not started any game in the knockouts so far, Angel Di Maria was selected as part of front three alongside the red-hot Julian Alvarez and skipper Messi.

The delight in Argentina fans comes because of the fact that Di Maria scored the winner for the Messi-starrer outfit in both the 2021 Copa America final against Brazil and the 2008 Olympics gold medal clash against Nigeria. Argentina had won both games 1-0.

Di Maria had missed the 2014 final against Germany due an injury having been in brilliant form in the tournament. The Juventus winger had started each of Argentina’s three group stage games but has not been in the XI for any of the knockout games having suffered a thigh injury. Di Maria had also scored a stunning long-range goal in Argentina’s Round of 16 defeat against France in 2018. He was also on the scoresheet against Italy in the Finalissima against Italy last year.

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Di Maria is also a serial winner at club level and was a key part of the Real Madrid’s 2014 Champions League win and was named Man of the Match in the memorable final against Atletico Madrid. The triumph in Lisbon was the Las Blancos’ first in 11 years and also started a run that has seem them win the the title five time in 8 years. That also turned out to be the last season the Argentine spent in Madrid.

Argentina XI: Emiliano Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuña; Di María, De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister; Leo Messi. Julián Álvarez.

France XI : Lloris; Koundé, Varane, Upamecano, Théo Hernandez; Antoine Griezmann, Tchouaméni, Rabiot; Dembélé, Giroud, Mbappé.