DI MARIA SCORES, MESSI COMES.OFF BENCH IN ARGENTINA'S COPA WARMUP

Lionel Messi came on for the final 40 minutes against Ecuador, subbing out Ángel Di María who delivered Argentina's winning goal in the first half. EPA/TRENT SPRAGUE

 Ángel Di María scored as Lionel Messi returned to the international stage for the first time in six months, helping Argentina to a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in a Copa América warmup match on Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Messi was sidelined for the first half before replacing Di María in the 56th minute.

A right hamstring injury kept the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and Inter Miami star from participating in Argentina's previous two Copa América warmup matches against El Salvador and Costa Rica in March.

"With Leo [Messi], there is no need to risk him. Not just with him, but others like [Nicolas] Otamendi didn't play. Angel [Di María] only played some minutes, Julian [Alvarez] and Lautaro [Martinez] the same", said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.

"We want to take care of these players, and allow them to arrive in their best possible conditions to the tournament".

With Messi watching from the bench, Di María sent a reverse pass from Cristian Romero into the net to open the scoring in the 40th minute.

"We know Copa America will be complicated, you could see it today in the game. Players get into it, and there will be difficult games," Di María told TyC Sports. "I think today was a good game to demonstrate how we are. I think we're on a good path."

Di María's goal marked his second consecutive in an international match, also scoring against Costa Rica on March 26. With the 31st goal of his Argentina career, the 36-year-old midfielder is tied with Gonzalo Higuain for the fifth-most goals in the country's history and sits just four goals behind Diego Maradona at No. 4 on the leaderboard.

Scaloni's squad will wrap up its pre-Copa América slate in Washington D.C. on Friday with a warmup match against Guatemala before opening its group stage of the tournament against Canada on June 20.

"We need to get together, compete, add minutes and feel that sensation of putting on that jersey again. That's what we're after before a Copa América that will be very difficult," Scaloni added.

Ecuador will play two friendly matches, against Bolívia on Wednesday and Honduras on June 16, before its debut in Copa America against Venezuela on June 22.

ESPN's Lizzy Becherano and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

- ESPN News Services

MANCHESTER UNITED: DI MARIA AOMBA RADHI MASHABIKI; AINGIA PSG

Di Maria ameomba radhi kwa mashabiki wa Man U baada yakuhamia PSG...Di Maria ameingia PSG kwa be ya milioni 44.3 pounds za Uingereza...Soma barua ya Di Maria hapo chini...



To Manchester United:

I write this note to thank all the Manchester United family for the great support received during the year I've been part of this Club.

When Manchester United chose me as part of their team I felt extremely honoured because I knew what this Club means and how it trusted me.

Nevertheless, I'm aware things didn't work as we all expected and believe me, I feel really sorry about it. However in the career of a football player sometimes the unexpected and unwanted may happen.

I can guarantee you it was not for trying. I did my best but football is not like maths: often a lot of things out of our control affect the way we feel and the way things turn out. I am sorry it did not work out as I would have wished in this amazing huge club.

I want to give special thanks to all the Directors and Management of Manchester United as well as to every member of the staff and colleagues as they gave me all their support. Also a special mention to all the fans who always trusted me and showed me their respect and love.

Now is time to move to PSG but the Glorious Manchester United Club will be forever in my memory

Wish you all the best in the world.

With best regards,

Angel Di Maria



Bofya hapa upate habari zaidi.

ARGENTINA: DI MARIA IS THE BEST PLYER OF THE YEAR

Angel Di Maria has been selected as the best player of the year.