After several days of speculation and uncertainty, it’s now official: Ángel Di María will not renew his contract with Benfica and will leave the Portuguese club once his current deal expires in mid-2025. However, before saying goodbye, he’ll take part in the FIFA Club World Cup. Could Major League Soccer be his next destination?
The 37-year-old Argentine is under contract with the Lisbon club until June 30. According to reports from Olé, although Benfica had intentions of extending his stay, Di María has decided not to continue and will become a free agent this summer. Still, his future remains undecided.
Signs were there: From emojis to his coach’s words
The writing had been on the wall. During a press conference, Benfica head coach Bruno Lage was asked about Di María’s situation and responded:
“I don’t know how to answer that… I really enjoy working with Di María. It’s something the president and he will have to resolve.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Di María recently reacted to an Instagram video posted by the account Pelo Benfica Plus, which suggested he might be playing his last Lisbon derby. He commented on the post with a sad face emoji and a heart, possibly hinting at an emotional farewell ahead of the big match. Was it an early confirmation of his departure?
Benfica’s Title Hopes Still Tied to Di María
Benfica remains in the race for the Liga Portugal title, and the upcoming Lisbon Derby could determine the new champion. If the match ends in a draw, the title will be decided on the final matchday, with Sporting holding an edge due to their earlier win in the reverse fixture.
If Benfica wins by one goal, the title race will go down to the wire, though Di María and his teammates would then control their own destiny. But a win by two or more goals would mean Benfica lifts the trophy this Saturday, thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Di María’s impact and the Club World Cup ahead
Di María is currently in his second stint at Benfica, where he has so far played 209 matches, scoring 47 goals and delivering 52 assists. During his time with the club, he has won three Portuguese League Cups and one Super Cup.
His final act with Benfica will be representing the club at the FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States. In the opening match, Benfica will face Boca Juniors, forming part of Group C, which also includes Auckland City (New Zealand) and Bayern Munich.
If Benfica advances to the round of 16, potential opponents include Chelsea, Flamengo, Espérance de Tunis, and a fourth team yet to be confirmed (originally Club León, who were later excluded).
