Ángel Di María is no longer playing for Benfica because his two-year contract with the club expired in June 2025, and he chose not to renew it. Instead, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by returning to his boyhood club, Rosario Central, in Argentina that July. His departure was also influenced by recurring physical issues, security concerns in Portugal, and a desire to end his 18-year European career closer to home.
Contract Expiration and Departure Timeline
Di María rejoined Benfica as a free agent in July 2023, signing a two-year deal that ran until June 30, 2025. The decision to leave was confirmed by Di María himself in May 2025, shortly after Benfica missed out on the Primeira Liga title following a 1-1 draw with Braga. He announced on social media that the match was his last league appearance for the club, though he noted he might still feature in the upcoming Taça de Portugal final and Club World Cup before his contract ended.
Key dates in his departure process are outlined below, making it easy to follow his exit from Benfica:
| Date | Key Event |
|---|---|
| May 2025 | Di María confirms his departure on social media after Benfica’s title loss to Braga |
| May 25, 2025 | Plays his final league match for Benfica against Sporting CP |
| May 30, 2025 | Rosario Central announces Di María’s return to the club |
| June 30, 2025 | Di María’s contract with Benfica officially expires |
| July 2025 | Joins Rosario Central, ending his European career |
Why Di María Chose Not to Renew His Contract
While contract expiration was the direct trigger for his departure, several factors led Di María to decline a new deal with Benfica, all of which align with his personal and professional priorities.
A Lifelong Dream to Return Home
The biggest motivation for Di María’s exit was his desire to return to Rosario Central, the club where he started his professional career in 2007. This “homecoming” was a deeply personal goal for the Argentine, who spent 18 years playing in Europe for top clubs like Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Juventus. For Di María, ending his career at his boyhood club was more important than continuing his time in Portugal, even with Benfica’s support and fan affection.
Recurring Physical Issues and Age
At 37 years old (as of 2025), Di María faced increasing physical challenges that impacted his performance and availability. He struggled with recurring muscle injuries throughout 2025—his third muscular issue that year alone, affecting both his right and left thighs—and also dealt with ankle sprains earlier in the 2024-2025 season. These injuries led to a significant drop in his output: between August and December 2024, he played 23 matches, scoring 11 goals and providing 6 assists, but in 2025, he managed just 14 matches, 4 goals, and 2 assists.
Benfica was also hesitant to renew his contract due to his high salary (around €4 million gross per year, near the club’s salary cap) and concerns that his injury-proneness would limit his contribution. At 37 and a half years old, Di María’s body could no longer consistently handle the demands of top-tier European football, making a contract renewal mutually unappealing.
Security Concerns in Portugal
Security worries also played a role in Di María’s decision. In late 2025, Benfica’s training ground was vandalized by a group of masked individuals, who sprayed offensive messages on the walls and launched fireworks and firecrackers in an attempt to disturb the team. While the club acted quickly to clean up the damage and the team was not training there at the time, the incident raised safety concerns for Di María and his family, pushing him to consider a return to Argentina.
Di María’s Benfica Career in Brief
Di María had two spells with Benfica: his first from 2007 to 2010, and his second from 2023 to 2025. Across both stints, he became a fan favorite thanks to his technical skill, creativity, and leadership on the pitch. In total, he made 212 appearances for the club, scoring 47 goals and contributing numerous assists.
During his second spell, he helped Benfica win the Supertaça and Taça da Liga in the 2024-2025 season, and he played a key role in their run to the Champions League quarterfinals in 2024. Even with his injury struggles in his final year, he remained a beloved figure among Benfica supporters, who appreciated his passion for the club.
Where Is Di María Now? (2026 Update)
As of February 2026, Di María is playing for Rosario Central in Argentina’s Primera División, living out his dream of ending his career at his boyhood club. He has settled back into Argentine football well: in the 2025-2026 season, he has made 16 appearances, scoring 7 goals (0.44 goals per match) and continuing to showcase his trademark skill on the wing. He has also adapted to the physicality of the league, though he still faces occasional fitness concerns.
Final Thoughts
Di María’s departure from Benfica was not a single-factor decision, but rather a combination of contract expiration, personal ambition to return home, physical limitations, and security concerns. It was a mutual choice that respected both Di María’s lifelong goal and Benfica’s need to plan for the future.
His time at Benfica added another chapter to an illustrious European career, and his return to Rosario Central marks a fitting end to one of Argentina’s most talented wingers of all time. For Benfica fans, he will be remembered as a player who brought skill and heart to the pitch, while for Di María, this next chapter is the fulfillment of a dream he has held since he was a young player in Rosario.