The 37-year-old, who retired from international soccer last year after making 145 appearances for Argentina, has spent five years at Benfica in two spells, having re-joined the club in 2023 after playing for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris St Germain and Juventus.
The 36-year-old retired from international football after winning his second Copa America trophy in July.
Coach Lionel Scaloni will present a team without captain Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria after a long time. The two significant absences force the World Cup winning coach to think about a renewed composition of the national team.
The reigning world champions will also be without Angel Di Maria after the veteran winger's international retirement.
The 36-year-old had been in negotiations to join Rosario Central of Argentina but had a change of heart when he and his family received abuse and threats.
"There was a threat at my sister's business: it was a box with a pig head and a bullet in the forehead, and a note that said that if I returned to (Rosario) Central, the next head was that of my daughter Pia," Di Maria told TV station Rosario3.
"I have so many beautiful feelings and I am eternally grateful to this generation and today I am leaving in this way with a title," Di Maria said.
Affectionately known as El Fideo, who has scored historic goals in the last three Albiceleste finals, posted a picture with the Rosario superstar and one of his great partners and teammates in the national team for the last 16 years.
Di Maria, 36, announced in November his plans to retire from internationals after representing his country for 15 years and Messi wants him to get his name on the scoresheet as he did against Brazil to clinch the continental title in 2021 and against France as they won the 2022 World Cup final.
"I have so many beautiful feelings and I am eternally grateful to this generation and today I am leaving in this way with a title," Di Maria said.
Affectionately known as El Fideo, who has scored historic goals in the last three Albiceleste finals, posted a picture with the Rosario superstar and one of his great partners and teammates in the national team for the last 16 years.
Di Maria, 36, announced in November his plans to retire from internationals after representing his country for 15 years and Messi wants him to get his name on the scoresheet as he did against Brazil to clinch the continental title in 2021 and against France as they won the 2022 World Cup final.
Affectionately known as El Fideo, Di María is a hero, part of a successful Argentine generation that has been prominent over the last decade: from the 2014 World Cup to the 2024 Copa America.
Playing against aging stars like Messi and Angel Di Maria, Valencia thinks Colombia have an advantage.
"It doesn't make much sense to think about when they're gone. Let's enjoy them now, we'll see what happens later. Messi is fine, he's happy. I'm with renewed ideas and strength. It's a nice challenge to defend the title," Scaloni said.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni announced the 26-player squad for the 2024 Copa America on Saturday, with Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria headlining the team.
Di Maria, named as captain for the game with Lionel Messi on the bench, bagged his 31st international goal in the 40th minute of an entertaining clash at Soldier Field.
Argentine captain and Rosario-born Lionel Messi was also threatened in a letter last year after unidentified gunmen attacked a supermarket owned by his wife Antonela Roccuzzo's family.
Messi, who won an Olympic gold with the Argentina team in 2008, took to social media to laud the youngsters.
