Di María debuted for Argentina internationally in 2007, playing for theunder-20 team; with the side, he won the2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, held in Canada. Playing for thecountry's Olympic team at the2008 Olympic Games, Di María scored the winning goal againstNigeria inthe final to win Argentina their second successiveOlympic gold medals in football. He made his senior debut forArgentina the same year, in 2008, at the age of 20, and went on to earn 145 caps, including appearing in ten major tournaments; he featured in fourFIFA World Cups for Argentina; helping his country reachthe final in2014 and win its third World Cup in2022, the first in 36 years, scoring the second goal inthe final. Furthermore, Di María was also part of the Argentina squads that reached fourCopa Américafinals, in2015,2016,2021 and2024, winning the latter two; he netted the only goal inthe 2021 final to win Argentina their first trophy in 28 years. He retired from the national team after winning the2024 Copa América final.
Di María was born on 14 February 1988 inRosario, as one of three children of Miguel di María and Diana Hernandez, and grew up in Perdriel. As an infant, he was unusually active, and on the recommendation of a doctor was signed up for football at age three. He also helped his parents with their work at a local coal yard along with his two sisters, Vanesa and Evelyn. Due to the low income his family earned, purchasing football boots and keeping up with Di María's hobby was difficult for his parents. He considers himself to be a "family man" and has used a significant amount of his salary to "give back" to his family.[6] After being transferred toBenfica, he asked his father not to work any more and purchased a house for his parents and sisters.[7]
At age four, Di María joinedRosario Central.[8] As he had already committed to playing for his local club, Torito, 35 footballs were given in compensation.[6]
Di María made his professional debut on 14 December 2005 in Rosario's final fixture of theApertura, a 2–2 draw away toIndependiente, by replacingEmiliano Vecchio.[9] He scored for the first time on 24 November 2006 in the following season's Apertura in a 4–2 win at home overQuilmes, a minute after replacingLeonardo Borzani at half-time.[10] After playing at the2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada,Boca Juniors made a bid ofUS$6.5 million for him.[11] He was also approached by English clubArsenal, a move that fell through due to the United Kingdom's strict rules on issuing work permits to players from outside theEuropean Union.[12]
Di María was transferred to the Portuguese side Benfica in July 2007,[13] where he played as a winger. He was signed as a replacement for Benfica's departing captain,Simão, who joinedAtlético Madrid earlier that summer.[11] Benfica paid Rosario Central €6 million for 80% of his sports rights and 50% of the sports rights ofAndrés Díaz.[14] Later, in August 2008, the Portuguese club paid an extra €2 million for the remaining 20%,[15] but re-sold 10% toGestiFute.
Di María had his breakthrough in the 2009–10 season thanks to the trust placed in him by managerJorge Jesus. On 22 October, in theEuropa League group stage match againstEverton, he provided a hat-trick of assists for the first time in his career, in a 5–0 thrashing at theEstádio da Luz, marking the biggest loss of an English side in a European competition.[16][17] During that month, Di María signed a new deal with Benfica, adding three more years to his current deal, which was to last until 30 June 2015 with his release fee set at a minimum of €40 million.[18] Afterwards, he was backed byDiego Maradona to become "Argentina's next superstar".[19] He would score a brace in Benfica's 2–1 home win overAEK Athens, to ensure Benfica's qualification to the round of thirty-two, as group winners.[20]
On 27 February 2010, Di María scored his first hat-trick in a classic 4–0 win againstLeixões.[21] The next day, he made the headlines as "Magic Tri María" in all sports newspapers in Portugal.[22] He finished as the league's top assister that season with 11 assists, including two in a 5–0 win againstOlhanense, as Benfica won the national championship, addingthe year'sdomestic League Cup, while being named Player of the Month in April.[23]
On 28 June 2010,Real Madrid posted on their website that they had agreed with Benfica for the transfer of Di María. He signed a five-year contract for €25 million, plus €11 million in incentives, as announced one day later by the Portuguese Stock Exchange regulating entity.[24] On 7 July 2010, Di María arrived toMadrid directly fromBuenos Aires,[25] and passed the medical test on 8 July.[26] He made his debut on 4 August 2010 in a friendly match against Mexican sideAmérica, which Real Madrid won 3–2.[27] On 22 August, Di María scored his first goal in another friendly away againstHércules, which Real Madrid won 3–1.[28] In the last match of the pre-season, on 24 August, after an individual play described as a "magic moment", he opened the score of the 2–0 win againstPeñarol for theTrofeo Santiago Bernabéu.[29]
Hisleague debut came on 29 August in a 0–0 draw againstMallorca.[30] On 18 September, Di María scored his first league goal for Real Madrid in their 2–1 away win overReal Sociedad.[31] Ten days later, he scored his first goal in theUEFA Champions League againstAuxerre in a 1–0 victory.[32] He scored a controversial first goal againstSevilla on 19 December. Days later, Di María assistedKarim Benzema's two goals andCristiano Ronaldo's goal in an astonishing 8–0 drubbing ofLevante on 22 December. In the second leg of theChampions League round of 16 againstLyon, he scored the third and final goal in a 3–0 win to send Real Madrid through to the quarter-finals for the first time in seven years.[33]
Di María scored Real Madrid's third goal during their first-legChampions League quarter-final victory overTottenham Hotspur on 5 April 2011.[34] On 20 April, he was sent off in the 31st minute of extra time inthe Copa del Rey final against rivalBarcelona. Real Madrid won the match 1–0, the lone goal of the match (in the 13th minute of extra time) being a header from Cristiano Ronaldo, which came from his cross, thus obtaining his first honour with Real Madrid.[35]
During the start of the2011–12 season, Di María endured a tough series of matches as he struggled to adapt to the pace of the league following the summer break. As a result, Di María's early performance for the season was mixed with moments of genuinely good play interspersed with moments of sheer madness by the Argentine. This point was well illustrated during Real Madrid's 1–0 defeat to Levante, a match which saw a clearly out-of-sorts Di María commit a horror foul on Levante'sJuanfran during the match. Di María caused the two teams to clash and an on-field incident ensued. However, Di María's performances would improve, including opening up a significant gap at the top of the assists table. From October 2011, Di María was being picked by Madrid head coachJosé Mourinho ahead ofKaká andMesut Özil, a sign of his improving form.[citation needed]
On 27 November 2011, Di María played 60 minutes in a league match against city rivalsAtlético Madrid, in which he scored a goal for Real Madrid. Mourinho's team won the match 4–1. On 3 December 2011, Di María scored Real's first goal from a sharp angle in a 3–0 defeat ofSporting de Gijón in La Liga.[36] He was a constant threat and presence in the starting XI as Real Madrid won their 32nd league title, playing in their 3–0 win overAthletic Bilbao that clinched the league title.[37]
Although Di María did not have the best season, he did contribute in big moments, most notably by sending in the cross for Cristiano Ronaldo's goal againstManchester United on 13 February,[39] he registered seventeen assists, and scored nine goals throughout the season in 52 appearances, notably against Atlético Madrid andMálaga. On 9 August 2012, Di María signed a new contract with Real Madrid, keeping him at the club until 2018.[40][41]
On 2 October 2013, Di María scored two goals againstCopenhagen in Real Madrid's 4–0 Champions League victory over them.[42] Later in the season, due to tactical decisions by the club's new managerCarlo Ancelotti, Di María's playing position was permanently switched to that of an offensive–minded central midfielder, and he was frequently deployed in the starting line-up alongsideLuka Modrić andXabi Alonso in midfield in the team's 4–3–3 formation.[43] He contributed to the club's 2–1 victory over Barcelona in the2014 Copa del Rey Final with the opening goal.[44] Di María was the top assist maker in La Liga for the season, contributing 17.[45]
In the2014 UEFA Champions League Final against Atlético Madrid on 24 May 2014, Di María dribbled past two players before producing a save from goalkeeperThibaut Courtois. Di María's teammateGareth Bale, was there to head the rebound into the net in the 110th minute, giving Real Madrid a 2–1 lead over Atlético in an eventual 4–1 win.[46] Di María was namedman of the match byUEFA after the match, and was presented with the honour by former Manchester United head coachSir Alex Ferguson.[47]
Di María was an unused substitute as Real Madrid won the2014 UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla on 12 August.[48] A week later, in the first leg of theSupercopa de España, he played the final 15 minutes of a 1–1 home draw against Atlético Madrid in place of Luka Modrić.[49][50]
On 26 August 2014, Di María signed a five-year deal with Manchester United for a transfer fee of £59.7 million,one of the most expensive transfers of all time and the highest fee ever paid by a British club at the time.[51][52][53] He inherited the number 7 shirt at United, which was previously worn by club legends such asGeorge Best,Bryan Robson,Eric Cantona,David Beckham andCristiano Ronaldo.[54] However, he said in an open letter to Real Madrid fans that he had never wanted to leave Real Madrid, but that its board had been unsupportive and unfair: "Someone may not like me".[55]
Di María made his debut on 30 August in a 0–0 draw withBurnley, in which he was substituted forAnderson after 70 minutes.[56] He scored his first goal for United on 14 September, netting directly from a free-kick in a 4–0 win overQueens Park Rangers.[57][58] He also provided an assist forJuan Mata's goal in the same match, winning the vote for Man of the Match.[57] His performance was highlighted bySky Sports'Player Cam feature, which was brought back especially for the match.[59] In the next match, againstLeicester City on 21 September, he again scored a goal and provided another assist, although United lost the match 5–3.[60]
On 2 October, Di María won Manchester United's Player of the Month award for September after recording two goals and two assists in his first four matches for the club.[61] One week later, he won his second individual trophy at United after his goal against Leicester, in which he chipped goalkeeperKasper Schmeichel, was voted as the club's Goal of the Month for September.[62] Di María continued his run of fine form on 5 October by scoring a goal and providing an assist forRadamel Falcao to help United defeatEverton 2–1.[63] Di María was substituted with a hamstring injury 13 minutes into United's 3–0 defeat ofHull City on 29 November and made only one substitute appearance in the team's next seven matches.
On 4 January 2015, Di María returned from injury to score a late goal in a 2–0 win againstYeovil Town in the third round of theFA Cup.[64] A week later, he was used as a forward by managerLouis van Gaal in a 1–0 home defeat toSouthampton.[65] This new role came in the midst of a bad run of form for Di María, who was said to have struggled since October.[66] Di María was sent off on 9 March as United lost 2–1 at home against Arsenal in theFA Cup sixth round, being booked for diving and for grabbing the shirt of refereeMichael Oliver, but earlier set up the equaliser byWayne Rooney.[67][68] At the season's end, Di María was judged byThe Daily Telegraph to be the worst signing of the season.[69]
On 25 July 2015, Di María failed to board a flight to the United States to join Manchester United's pre-season tour as scheduled; manager Louis van Gaal said he "did not know why".[70][71] On 2 August, it was reported Di María would undergo a medical ahead of a move toParis Saint-Germain;[72] and four days later, Manchester United confirmed he had been sold to theFrench champions for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £44 million, signing a four-year contract.[73][74][75][76]
In the2016–17 Champions League group stage home match againstBasel on 19 October 2016, Di María scored the opening goal in the 40th minute in a 3–0 victory for PSG to register his first goal of the season.[82] On 19 November, he opened the scoring with his firstLigue 1 goal of the season in a 2–0 home win againstNantes.
On the first leg of his side'sChampions league round of 16 tie against his former club Manchester United in the 2018–19 season, Di María sustained a serious injury following a tackle fromAshley Young; however, he refused to be substituted, and in the final moments of the game, he assistedKylian Mbappé's goal for a 2–0 win atOld Trafford.[86] Eventually, PSG lost 3–1 in the second leg and were eliminated in the round of 16 for the third consecutive season.[87]
In the2019–20 UEFA Champions League group stage, Di María scored a brace in a 3–0 win over his former club Real Madrid on 18 September 2019.[88] On 18 August 2020, Di María scored a goal and recorded two assists in PSG's 3–0 Champions League semi-final victory overRB Leipzig;[89] the club went on to play againstBayern Munich in thefinal, but lost the match 1–0.[90]
On 23 September 2020, Di María was handed a four-match suspension for a spitting incident withÁlvaro González duringLe Classique 10 days earlier.[91] He would miss the league matches againstAngers,Nîmes,Dijon andNantes.[92] In a UEFA Champions League match against RB Leipzig on 4 November, Di María scored the opening goal in an eventual 2–1 defeat.[93] He made his return to league action in a match againstRennes three days later, and scored a goal to help PSG win the match 3–0.[94]
In a home match againstİstanbul Başakşehir on 9 December 2020, Di María recorded two assists; he subsequently became the player with the third most assists in UEFA Champions League history with a tally of 32, only being behindLionel Messi andCristiano Ronaldo.[95] On 12 March 2021, Di María extended his contract with Paris Saint-Germain for one more season with an option for a second.[96] On 4 May, Di María was sent off againstManchester City in the semi-finals of the Champions League for stamping onFernandinho in an off the ball incident.[97] He was handed a three-match ban in European competitions.[98] In the2021 Coupe de France Final, when PSG defeated Monaco by a score of 2–0, Di María broke the all-time assist record for PSG by delivering a pass for a Kylian Mbappé goal. It was his 104th assist as a PSG player.[99] In the2021–22 season with Paris Saint-Germain, Di María won the Ligue 1 title, his fifth league title with the club. On 20 May 2022, his departure from Paris at the end of his contract was confirmed.[100] In his last match for the club againstMetz on 21 May, Di María scored a goal and recorded an assist, helping his team to a 5–0 win. He received a tribute and ovation from the Parc des Princes.[101] Di María ended his spell at PSG with 92 goals and 112 assists in 295 matches.[102]
On 8 July 2022, Di María joinedJuventus as afree agent after signing an annual contract.[103][104] He made his club debut on 15 August, in Juventus's opening match of the Serie A season; he scored the opening goal and later assistedDušan Vlahović's second goal in an eventual 3–0 home win but was substituted in the second half after sustaining an injury.[105][106] On 15 September, he made his100th Champions League appearance, and his debut with Juventus in that competition, in a 2–1 home defeat against his former club Benfica.[107] On 5 October, Di María provided a hat-trick of assists in a 3–1 home win againstMaccabi Haifa in the Champions League, making thethird highest assist provider in the competition's history.[108] Despite his contributions, Juventus finished third in thegroup stage which put them in theEuropa Leagueknockout round play-offs, and as a result, they failed to make theChampions League knockout stages for the first time since 2013.[109]
On 23 February 2023, he scored a hat-trick in a 3–0 away win over Nantes in theEuropa League.[110] On 9 March, he scored his fourth goal in the competition, after netting the only goal of a home win overFreiburg.[111] He impressed during the season, despite suffering from multiple hamstring injuries, which limited his game time. On 6 June, Di María confirmed his departure from Juventus, following the expiry of his contract.[112]
Amidst growing interest from Saudi clubs, Di María ended all speculations on 6 July 2023, when he signed a one-year contract with Benfica and was presented in front of 2,500 Benfica supporters in the entrance ofEstádio da Luz.[113][114]
On 9 August, Di María made his second debut at Benfica, scoring the opening goal of a 2–0 victory overPorto in theSupertaça Cândido de Oliveira, winning his first trophy back with the club.[115] With two assists and a goal in a 4–0 win overVitória de Guimarães on 2 September, he reached five goal contributions in his first four league games.[116] On 29 September, he scored the only goal of a home win over Porto, in the Primeira Liga, allowing his side to stay on top of the league table.[117] In the lastChampions League group stage match on 12 December, Di María scored his first goal in the competition with Benfica, directly from a corner kick, in a 3–1 away win overRed Bull Salzburg, which proved essential for theEagles to qualify to theUEFA Europa League knock-out round play-offs.[118][119] There, he scored two penalties in a 2–1 aggregate victory overToulouse.[120] In the first leg of the quarter-finals against Olympique de Marseille on 11 April, he scored from open play to help his side to a 2–1 victory,[121] but in the second leg, he missed the first kick of the penalty shootout as Benfica was knocked-out.[122]
On 23 November 2024, the 36-year-old Di María scored a 16-minute hat-trick in the opening 18 minutes of the Portuguese Cup fourth round match againstEstrela da Amadora, helping his team to a 7–0 victory.[123] Two months later, on 11 January, he started in the2025 Taça da Liga final against city rivals Sporting, converting his penalty in an eventual shoot-out victory.[124] Di María scored four penalties in the2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the first three against Boca Juniors andAuckland City in thegroup stage, while the fourth was a last-minute equaliser againstChelsea in the round of 16, which ended in a 4–1 loss in extra-time. This marked the end of his European career, after 768 official matches.[125]
On 29 May 2025, it was announced by boyhood clubRosario Central that Di María would be returning on a free transfer after Benfica's participation in the2025 FIFA Club World Cup.[126] On 12 July, he made his first appearance since returning to the club, scoring a penalty in a 1–1 draw againstGodoy Cruz.[127]
On 28 January 2008, Di María and some of his under-20s teammates were called up for theArgentina Olympic football team for the2008 Beijing Olympics. He scored the extra-time game-winning goal on a pass fromLionel Messi in the 105th minute of his team's 2–1 quarter-final win over the Netherlands.[129] On 23 August, Di María scored the game-winner – a chip over the goalkeeper from the edge of the area – in the 57th minute of Argentina's 1–0 victory againstNigeria to capture their second-straight Olympic gold medal in the final game of the Olympic tournament.[130]
2008–2010: Senior debut and early national team career
On 19 May 2010, Di María was selected by Argentinian managerDiego Maradona in the23-man squad for the2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. On 24 May, Di María scored his debut international goal in a 5–0friendly win overCanada.[132] At the World Cup, he helped Argentina reach the quarter-finals, playing in all five of Argentina's matches and starting four of them.[133]
Following the World Cup, on 11 August 2010 Di María scored the first-ever international goal atDublin's newAviva Stadium in a friendly against theRepublic of Ireland as Argentina won 1–0.[134]
Di María made 12 appearances during the2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign[131] and was included in the Argentina national team for thetournament finals.[136] In Argentina'sround of 16 match againstSwitzerland, Di María scored the only goal of the game after 118 minutes, from aLionel Messi assist.[137] During the quarter-final match againstBelgium, Di María suffered a muscle tear in the thigh and was later taken off the field. It was later announced after the match that Di María would miss the rest of the tournament due to the injury.[138] He had previously helped to createGonzalo Higuaín's only goal of the match, which sent Argentina into the semi-finals. Argentina finished the tournament as runners-up toGermany.[139]
On 11 July, Di María was named on the ten-man shortlist for FIFA'sGolden Ball award for the tournament's best player.[140]
On 3 September 2014, in a friendly away against world champions Germany, Di María had a part in all four of Argentina's goals in a 4–2 victory, assisting three and scoring one.[141]
2015–2016: Back-to-back Copa América finals losses
On 28 May 2015, Di María was included in Argentina national team for the2015 Copa América.[142][143] On 6 June, he was selected tocaptain the team in the absence of Lionel Messi for a warm-up match againstBolivia, scoring twice in a 5–0 win.[144] A week later, in their opening match of the tournament against Paraguay inLa Serena, Di María won a penalty which Messi scored in a 2–2 draw.[145] On 30 June, he scored twice and assisted a goal forSergio Agüero, as Argentina defeated Paraguay 6–1 to reachthe final.[146] He was substituted with a hamstring injury within the first half-hour of the final against hostsChile, which his team lost in apenalty shootout after a goalless draw.[147]
In Argentina's opening match of theCopa América Centenario on 6 June 2016, a rematch of the previous tournament's final against defending champions Chile, Di María scored the opening goal of the match and later assistedÉver Banega's goal in a 2–1 win. Di María dedicated the goal to his grandmother, who had recently died.[148] In his nation's second group match, againstPanama on 10 June, he assistedNicolás Otamendi's opening goal, but was later forced off due to injury. Argentina won the match 5–0.[149] He missed the rest of the tournament due to injury[150] as Argentina reached theCopa América final for the second consecutive time, once again losing out to Chile on penalties, following a 0–0 draw.[151]
2017–2020: World Cup disappointment and Copa América third-place
In June 2021, Di María was included in the Argentina national team for the2021 Copa América in Brazil.[155][156] On 21 June, he assisted the only goal of the match, scored byPapu Gómez, in Argentina's third group match against Paraguay; the result allowed his side to progress to the quarter-finals.[157] In thefinal of the tournament against the hostsBrazil on 10 July, he scored the only goal of the match to give Argentina their joint record 15th Copa América title withUruguay and their first international title since1993. He ran onto a long pass fromRodrigo De Paul into the Brazilian penalty area. The pass was slightly deflected by Brazilian defenderRenan Lodi before Di María controlled the ball with the outside of his left foot; he then chipped the ball over the goalkeeperEderson, giving Argentina an early lead. Although he was substituted late in the second half of the match, the goal would hold as the winning effort for Argentina.[158]
On 11 November 2022, Di María was named in the final squad for the2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.[160] On 26 November, he recorded an assist on Messi's opening goal in Argentina's second group match, a 2–0 win over Mexico.[161] On 18 December, Di María scored his team's second goal against France in thefinal, minutes after winning the penalty for the first goal as Argentina defeated France 4–2 on penalties, after the match ended 3–3 in extra-time, to win the World Cup.[162] He was surprised by the coach's decision to start him on the left and thoughtScaloni was "confused," but Scaloni convinced Di María how he wanted to game plan with him specifically on the left.[163]
2023–2024: Second Copa América title and retirement
In October 2023, Di María announced that he would be retiring from the national team after the2024 Copa América.[164] In Argentina's final group match againstPeru, he set-upLautaro Martínez's first goal in a 2–0 win which saw Argentina advance to the quarter-finals after topping their group.[165] In thefinal againstColombia, he wore the captain's armband after Messi went down with an injury in the 65th minute. He played 117 minutes before being taken off for Otamendi. Argentina won the match 1–0, marking their second consecutive Copa America triumph and third consecutive international tournament trophy. It was Di María's final game for Argentina, ending his international career as a champion.[166]
Di María retired joint-third in Argentina'sall-time appearance list (145) and joint-sixth formost goals (31). On 5 September, he was honored by the national team atRiver Plate Stadium following Argentina's 3–0 win over Chile in a2026 World Cup qualifier. Scaloni and the national team all donned special Argentina shirts wearing Di María's number 11 on the back, and he was thrown in the air by his teammates during the farewell ceremony. Messi, who was unable to attend due to nursing an injury, recorded a tribute to his long-time teammate that played on the stadium's screens. In a speech at the end of the ceremony, Di María commented "Now I'll be just another fan, cheering the team on from up there. I'll go to all the Copa Americas and World Cups. We will surely keep going this way because this team has a lot of guts."[167]
Di María is a quick, strong, tricky and talentedwinger who is also capable of playing as a more centralattacking midfielder or on either side of the pitch, although he is predominantly a left-footed player.[168] He has also been deployed to great effect as acentral midfielder, in particular underCarlo Ancelotti's tenure with Real Madrid.[169] Possessing a slender frame,[170] Di María is an agile, creative and highly technical player who possesses excellentdribbling skills and ball control, as well as great pace, stamina, movement, and acceleration, attributes which allow him to beat players easily in one-on-one situations. He is also gifted with excellent vision,set-piece delivery, passing, andcrossing ability, which allow him to function effectively as aplaymaker and as anassist provider, although he is also capable of scoring goals himself, and is an accuratefree kick taker. Despite not being physically imposing, he is also a very hard-working player, and he improved on the defensive aspect of his game under managerJosé Mourinho.[171][172][173][174] Di María has also drawn praise in the media over his decisive performances in important matches throughout his career.[175] Despite his ability, however, he has often struggled with injuries throughout his career.[176]
He married fellow Argentine Jorgelina (née Cardoso) in 2011.[180] Together they have two daughters, Mia and Pia. Mia was born three months premature and survived after treatment at an intensive care unit at the Hospital Universitario Montepríncipe inMadrid.[180][181]
Di María's home inPrestbury, Cheshire, was the scene of an attempted burglary on 31 January 2015.[182]
On 2 September 2020, it was reported that Di María, along with PSG teammatesNeymar andLeandro Paredes, had tested positive forCOVID-19. The French sports newspaperL'Équipe said that the three players reportedly went on vacation inIbiza. As a result, they had to quarantine for one week, and the rest of the players and working staff were scheduled to take a coronavirus test within the same week.[183][184]
During a match between PSG andNantes on 14 March 2021, Di María's home was robbed and his family was held hostage. He had been substituted off the pitch by managerMauricio Pochettino, who informed Di María of the situation. PSG teammateMarquinhos' parents' home was also burgled in a similar way.[185]
Di María is one of the 13 sports personalities named in thePandora Papers published by theInternational Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). He used a company inPanama to exploit his image rights for months before arriving at Real Madrid. He is the owner of a company in Panama created especially to manage his million-dollar contracts for the exploitation of his image rights, a shell company that he used since 2009 and that he maintains to this day. The Pandora Papers reveal that he handled more than €8 million between 2013 and 2017 through a company named Sunpex Corporation Inc.[186]
^"Official announcement"(PDF) (in Portuguese). CMVM – Portuguese Securities Market Commission. 28 June 2010. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 29 July 2020. Retrieved16 July 2010.
^"Argentina's joy of six". FIFA.com (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). Archived fromthe original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved27 August 2014.
^"Argentina 2:1 Netherlands". FIFA.com (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). 16 August 2014. Retrieved27 August 2014.
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