Maybe it is Angel di Maria's fate, like that of so many other talented Argentina players, that he was born in Lionel Messi's time; that he had to play his whole international career under the shadow of Messi.

Angel di Maria, the hero of so many of Argentina's achievements and failures over the last decade-and-a-half, likes it that way too. With an immensely gifted left foot that can unsettle the best of defences in the world, Di Maria has been a lucky charm for Argentina and for Messi too.

The chemistry between the two goes back a long way when they were both teenagers. Born a year after Messi in Rosario, Di Maria came to prominence in 2007 when he helped Argentina win the FIFA U-20 title. A year later, he scored the winner as Argentina won their second consecutive Olympic gold medal, beating Nigeria 1-0 in the final.

While Messi was at the centre of attention from an early age due to his outrageous talent and skill and had Barcelona to harness and groom his talent, Di Maria proved to be more of a journeyman, moving from one big club to another. He had left a mark in all of the teams he played, although often not getting the credit he deserved.

But he always proved to be a key figure for Argentina and has been a crowd favourite for them too. He has had his fair share of injuries in his career, but when he got the chance to redeem himself he has done so with crucial goals and assists.

The 34-year-old forward missed through injury the 2014 World Cup semifinal and the final, which Argentina lost 1-0 against Germany. 

The left-footed genius again suffered an injury in the first half of the final of Copa America, which Argentina lost against Chile the next year before suffering the same misfortune the following year as they lost the final again against the same opposition, this time on penalties.

Following another World Cup failure in 2018 and another early Copa America exit the following year, Di Maria led Argentina to a first Copa title in 2021, scoring the only goal against the Brazilians at Maracana.

Di Maria was again on the scoresheet as Argentina defeated European champions Italy 3-0 in Finalissima last year. And now with a goal and an assist against France in the final of the World Cup, he earned Messi the spotkick and then scored the second to lead the Albiceleste to the world title that had evaded both him and Messi for so long in their careers.