Di Maria to return to boyhood club Rosario Central

Argentina's FIFA World Cup winner Angel Di Maria has reached an agreement to return to his boyhood team Rosario Central, the club announced on Thursday.

The 37-year-old will rejoin the Argentine Primera Division side on a free transfer after his contract with Portuguese outfit Benfica expires in July.

Angel di Maria (R) of Argentina vies with Matty Cash of Poland during their Group C match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Nov. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

"Our history together has more pages to write. Welcome home," read a statement issued by the club on social media.

Di Maria began his professional career with Rosario Central in 2005 before signing with Benfica two years later. He had subsequent spells at Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus before returning to Benfica in 2023.

The winger ended his Argentina career last year with 145 caps, having won the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles.

He will start his new spell with Rosario Central following the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Benfica will begin its campaign against Boca Juniors on June 16 before also facing Auckland City and Bayern Munich in the group stage.