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Angel Di Maria continues to show why he is without doubt one of the most underrated playmakers in fashionable soccer. The 36-year-old Argentine winger just lately surpassed his legendary compatriot, Lionel Messi, within the all-time Champions League help rankings, transferring into second place with 41 assists. With solely one help separating him from Cristiano Ronaldo, the present record-holder, Di Maria is on the point of but.
The Argentine’s ascent to second on the all-time help leaderboard got here throughout Benfica’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Monaco within the Champions League. Benfica, trailing 2-1 late within the sport, wanted a spark—and Di Maria delivered.
Within the 84th minute, he curled a cross from the left flank into the field, the place Arthur Cabral rose to satisfy it with a header, leveling the rating. However Di Maria wasn’t executed. 5 minutes later, he whipped one other exact cross from the precise, this time discovering Zeki Amdouni, who headed residence the dramatic winner within the 89th minute. The match at Stade Louis II turned yet one more testomony to Di Maria’s skill to orchestrate decisive moments. His late-game heroics earned him Participant of the Match honors, with the stadium roaring in admiration for the veteran playmaker.
File-breaking profession
Di Maria’s efficiency towards Monaco lifted him previous Messi’s Champions League help tally, however his eyes are actually set on overtaking Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs, each of whom maintain the present report at 42 assists.
“Di Maria eclipsed Lionel Messi with a brace of assists… taking his tally within the UEFA Champions League to 41, another than Messi’s,” reported soccer journalist Fabrizio Romano. What makes this feat much more spectacular is that Di Maria has completed it in 112 Champions League appearances—far fewer than Messi’s 163 video games and Ronaldo’s 183 video games.
What’s subsequent for Di Maria?
Having signed a one-year cope with Benfica this summer time, Di Maria has proven no indicators of slowing down. He has already scored eight objectives and supplied 5 assists in 16 appearances throughout all competitions this season, a testomony to his enduring high quality.
Although he has performed for a number of the greatest golf equipment on the planet—Actual Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United—Di Maria’s type this season has been significantly placing. His present streak of 5 objectives and three assists in his final 5 video games means that surpassing Ronaldo’s report just isn’t a query of if, however when.
With three matches nonetheless to come back on this season’s Champions League league stage, the probabilities are excessive that Di Maria will declare the all-time help report. As Benfica proceed their marketing campaign, the veteran playmaker shall be essential to their success, and every help will edge him nearer to surpassing Ronaldo.
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