Angel Di Maria BREAKS Lionel Messi’s assist record in UCL with POTM performance against Monaco
Angel Di Maria surpassed Lionel Messi's UCL assist record, after providing two goal contributions for Benfica, in a 3-2 win over Monaco.
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Angel Di Maria surpassed Lionel Messi's UCL assist record, during Benfica's 3-2 win over Monaco. (via One Football)
Veteran Argentinian star Angel Di Maria surpassed Lionel Messi’s assist record in the UEFA Champions League, with 41 assists. The 36-year-old achieved this feat, after providing two assists in Benfica’s comeback 3-2 win over Monaco.
Benfica came twice from behind to end Monaco’s four-match unbeaten run in the Champions League. Monaco’s Eliesse Ben Seghir helped his side take an early 13th minute lead. However, a mistake by defender Caio Henrique allowed Vangelis Pavlidis to equalize for the visitors in the 48th minute. Despite Monaco restoring their lead through Soungoutou Magassa’s goal in the 67th minute, Benfica struck back in the dying minutes. Two late goals from Arthur Cabral and Zeki Amdouni helped the visitors win 3-2.
It was Angel Di Maria who inspired the comeback win, as he helped with two late assists in the final six minutes of the match. The Argentine proved that age is just a number, as he produced a Man of the Match display. The 36-year-old’s heroics elevated him to the second place on the all-time UCL assists list, ahead of national teammate and Barcelona legend, Lionel Messi. Di Maria now has 41 assists in 112 UCL appearances. Moreover, he trails UCL assist leaders Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs by just one assist.
✨?? Ángel Di Maria has surpassed Leo Messi with 41 assists in Champions League.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 28, 2024
El Fideo’s just one assist away to catch up Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs (42) to have the most assists in Champions League history.
5 goals and 3 assists in the last 3 games for Benfica.
2… pic.twitter.com/qqUYbRgIxM
Di Maria has been a vital asset for Benfica this season, after having signed a year-long contract. He has already scored eight goals and provided five assists in all competitions this season, and most recently defied expectations to score a brilliant hat-trick in a Portuguese League Cup encounter.
Angel Di Maria prepares for life after retirement, reveals he is studying to become a coach
Angel Di Maria recently revealed that he is preparing for life beyond the pitch. The 36-year-old could very soon bring an end to his two decade long playing career, after having retired from the Argentinian national team earlier this year.
Di Maria has played for several top clubs including PSG, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus. He was also an integral part of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup winning side. However, the Benfica star is contemplating retirement, and most recently revealed that he is taking a course to be a football coach in the future. He also added that he has been analyzing football through a coach’s lens, since the age of 30.
I am taking the course to be a coach. I am doing it just in case. From the age of 30, I started to see football differently and analyze it.
Angel Di Maria on his future after retirement (H/T Reuters)
While exclaiming that he would spend some time with his family after retirement, Di Maria did express his wish to become a manager in the future. It therefore remains to be seen what comes ahead for the 36-year-old star, who has not yet lost his playing touch.
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Siddhartha Roy
(699 Articles Published)