In an interview with ESPN on the eve of the upcoming Copa America final on July 15 at 8 a.m. Beijing time, Argentine footballer Pastore spoke fondly of teammate Di Maria, who is set to retire from the national team, and shared his current plans for his soccer career.
Pastore expressed his deep respect and sadness for Di Maria's decision to retire. "It will be particularly strange for me not to see Di Maria in the national team because he has played for this team for more than 15 years and his dedication and contribution cannot be measured in words." Pastore said, "He has not only left his mark on the international scene, but has also written his own legend in Argentine football. I'm happy for him because a footballer's career will always come to an end, and it's important that he was able to find joy in enjoying soccer. If Di Maria is able to end his national team career with a Copa America trophy, it will undoubtedly be the perfect end to his career."
Speaking about his current situation, Pastore revealed a period of rest after undergoing hip surgery. "I had surgery a few months ago, so I decided to give myself some time to recover and rest." He explained, "Now I've started to step up my training and plan to see how fit I am by December before deciding whether or not to return to action." Pastore also shared how happy he has been enjoying his family life and free time in the meantime, stating that although he hasn't officially announced his retirement, he is mentally ready for it.
When asked if he had considered returning to Argentina to play, Pastore said he had been in contact with the Hurricanes and the Talleros. "I did speak to both teams, the Hurricanes want me to join them and have had a couple of in-depth conversations." He said, "The Talleros, on the other hand, are a team I've always had a good relationship with and we have a strong bond." However, Pastore also emphasized that he is still under consideration and has not made a final decision.
