Ángel Di María: A Winger with More Than One Job

Paris gave the right wing a creator

Ángel Di María arrived at Paris Saint-Germain in 2015 able to carry the ball from the right, cross it or pick out a pass into the box. In UEFA’s analysis of a 2022 meeting with Madrid, he starts on that side and moves infield as the full-backs advance. Seven Paris seasons give us more to judge than one celebrated match.

Coming inside on his left foot, he could play towards the runners or carry on towards goal. The full-back had a pass to worry about as well as a dribble. That ability to open a defence and then serve someone else is his strongest winger argument. It gave attackers such as Neymar a valuable partner to share the work.

Madrid required something different

At Real Madrid between 2010 and 2014, Di María made 190 official appearances and scored 36 goals in the club’s record. Madrid describes the player who arrived from Benfica as a winger or second striker. He went on to play in attacking midfield. Calling the whole spell one job would miss that change.

The 2014 Champions League final makes the distinction clear. He supplied his energy from midfield rather than playing as Madrid’s right winger. In extra time he ran through Atlético’s defence and shot; the save left a rebound for Gareth Bale to head in. UEFA named Di María man of the match. We count the performance with that midfield role attached to it.

A right-sided goal for Argentina

For a more direct example of the role we rank, there is Argentina’s 2021 Copa América final. CONMEBOL’s technical report puts Di María on the right of the starting 4-4-2. His movement into the space behind Renan Lodi led to the only goal against Brazil.

He could threaten before receiving the ball. Running away from his marker made the pass possible; he did not first have to receive at his feet and beat someone. There was work without possession to go with his left-footed carries. A national team built around Lionel Messi gained another way to reach goal through it.

Another final, another side of the pitch

His role was on the left in the 2022 World Cup final against France, when he scored Argentina’s second goal. That contribution came from a different position. Argentina won the final on penalties after the teams drew 3-3.

After winning the 2024 Copa América, he ended his international career. The AFA’s farewell account records the tribute that followed. We use the completed Madrid, Paris and Argentina chapters here. The later club totals keep moving; including them would require a dated check and more frequent review.

Twelfth, with the roles kept in view

We put Di María twelfth among the best right wingers of all time. His long spell in Paris, range as a creator and right-sided work for Argentina earn the place. The Madrid and World Cup finals add to the broader career case. They also show how much of that career took him beyond one flank.

At his best he could receive wide, carry inside and release a runner, then move again as the attack continued. He adapted when his job took him elsewhere on the pitch. We reward the quality of his actual right-wing work and the length of it. His medal collection does not establish that he played there for his whole career.