Argentina’s football icon Ángel Di María has once again etched his name into the nation’s sporting history, proving that greatness does not fade with age. On Monday night, December 22, 2025, the legendary winger was awarded the prestigious Olimpia de Plata (Silver Olimpia), recognizing him as Argentina’s best football player of the year.
The glittering ceremony took place at the Usina del Arte in Buenos Aires and was organized by the Circle of Sports Journalists (CPD). More than just an awards night, the event celebrated a season defined by emotion, loyalty, and excellence—a year in which Di María completed a poetic return home and guided his childhood club to an unforgettable title.
A Triumphant Homecoming to Rosario Central
After nearly two decades of conquering Europe with clubs like Real Madrid, PSG, and Benfica, Di María returned to his boyhood club, Rosario Central, in July 2025. His impact was immediate and profound, transforming the club’s fortunes in the Torneo Clausura. He didn’t just return to play out his final years; he returned to win. Under his leadership, Rosario Central secured the Liga Profesional title, finishing as the overall leader in the annual standings with 66 points.
Di María delivered a vintage season, contributing 11 goals and numerous crucial assists across all competitions. His campaign was marked by high-stakes performances, including a match-winning penalty in his debut against Godoy Cruz and a decisive goal in the fierce Rosario derby against Newell’s Old Boys. Beyond the statistics, his brilliance ensured the club’s qualification for the 2026 Copa Libertadores, fulfilling a promise he made to the fans upon his emotional arrival at the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito.
La noche de Ángel Di María en los Premios Olimpia: Olimpia de Plata y reconocimiento a la Selección Argentina junto a Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia 🇦🇷✨🏆 pic.twitter.com/6pJFvr0AI7
— Rosario Central (@RosarioCentral) December 23, 2025
The Competition: Beating Out the Next Generation
The race for the 2025 Olimpia de Plata was among the most competitive in recent memory. Di María faced stiff opposition from Argentina’s new generation of global stars, including:
-
Lautaro Martínez, Inter Milan captain and Serie A leader
-
Leandro Paredes, a key midfield figure for club and country
That Di María emerged victorious speaks volumes about his enduring quality. Winning the award for the second time—his first coming in 2014—underscores a career defined by consistency, evolution, and resilience.
Once known primarily for blistering pace on the wing, Di María has successfully reinvented himself into a deep-lying playmaker and on-field general, mastering tempo and decision-making in one of the most physically demanding leagues in the world.
Honoring a Legend: Recognition from AFA
The evening also served as a tribute to Di María’s legendary international career. During the ceremony, Argentine Football Association (AFA) President Claudio Tapia presented him with a special commemorative plaque and a symbolic number 11 Argentina jersey.
The recognition honored his immeasurable contributions to the national team—goals in major finals, relentless dedication, and a career that concluded in glory with Argentina’s triumph at the 2024 Copa América. For many Argentines, Di María’s legacy in the sky-blue and white ranks among the greatest of all time.
Summary of Achievement
| Category | Details |
| Award Won | Olimpia de Plata 2025 (Football) |
| Club Performance | 11 Goals, Liga Profesional Champion with Rosario Central |
| Key Rivals Beaten | Lautaro Martínez, Leandro Paredes |
| Venue | Usina del Arte, Buenos Aires |
As the 2025 season draws to a close, Ángel Di María has delivered one of the most emotionally powerful chapters in Argentine football history. By returning to his roots and leading Rosario Central to national glory, he has bridged the gap between international superstardom and local legend.
In doing so, Di María has reminded the football world that age is merely a number, and that true greatness lies in passion, loyalty, and the courage to come home and lead.
