“You put Di Maria in the altitude of La Paz and he flies” - Mario Kempes on claim about Di Maria being as good as Lionel Messi

Argentine World Cup winner Mario Kempes believes Angel Di Maria is as good as Lionel Messi. The duo have been an integral part of the Albiceleste team that won the World Cup and Copa America glory in recent years.

Messi is arguably the greatest player in Argentina's history, scoring 109 goals and providing 58 assists in 187 games for the South American nation. Di Maria, who played alongside the Barcelona legend in the youth teams en route to glory in the Under-20 World Cup, has made 145 appearances for his country, scoring 31 goals and assisting 32 times.

His performances and dependability led Kempes to praise him in a recent interview with FIFA, saying:

“El Flaco [Menotti] knew his football, so who am I to disagree with him? Like many of us, Di Maria keeps a low profile and his feet on the ground. He always scores in big games, too."

Kempes added:

“Messi might have torn it up in lots of matches, but you put Di Maria in the altitude of La Paz and he flies. You look at him and how thin he is, and you think he’s going to get kicked over, but that’s not the case. He’s one of the most important players in the national team. Just look at the clubs he’s played for. He’s always won things.”

The former Real Madrid star and Lionel Messi are now at the end of their careers, at 36 and 37, respectively. Argentina will hope the next generation of players can recreate their impact and continue the success in international competitions they have seen with the duo in tow.

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Angel Di Maria glad to win Copa America for Lionel Messi

Argentina forward Angel Di Maria has said he is glad that he and his Albiceleste teammates could win the Copa America for Lionel Messi today. The South American powerhouse was able to retain their continental crown at the expense of Colombia at the MetLife Stadium.

Speaking to the press after the match, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United midfielder said:

“The truth is I’m not happy because he had to leave that way because of his ankle problem. But finally today, we were able to win it for him. Give him joy he deserves. It was a great night.

“I dreamed that it would play out like this, that we’d reach the final and that we would win it in this way. I don’t know what to say. I’m eternally grateful to this generation of players. This is the best way it could have ended."

“It seems easy but it’s very difficult. We experienced what it was like to be on the other side for 10 or 11 years. We tried as hard as we could but couldn’t win [a major tournament]. Now we’re having success and we have to enjoy it,” he added.

Lionel Messi is the greatest player in his country's history, helping them to the trophy in America with a goal and an assist. At 37 years old, this is his final appearance at the Copa America with his country.