Copa América 2016: Ángel Di María Dedicates Epic Goal To Late Grandma In Emotional Tribute

Argentina’s midfielder, Ángel Di María, learned that his maternal grandmother had passed away hours before the team’s Copa América Centenario debut against Chile at Levi’s Stadium on Monday.

“It’s hard…it’s very hard for my mother, my uncles and everybody,” Di María told reporters after the game, while trying to wipe his tears off with his jersey. “Sometimes you get criticized when you’re here, but when these sort of things happen it’s very hard to be far from your family.”

According to sources, the 28-year-old footballer decided to keep the bad news secret until he scored the first goal of the game in minute 51, and dedicated the victory to his grandma in heaven.

“I’m happy because I was able to score and dedicate it to my grandmother and all my family who are going through a difficult time,” he said. “Since this morning when I found out what happened, I knew at any moment I would score a goal, and I’m thankful I was able to.”

When he was asked if he was opting to leave the historic tournament to be with his loved ones, he replied, “If I didn’t play, my grandma would get mad.”

After his goal, the Paris Saint-German star held up a shirt that read, “Grandma, I will miss you so much.”

Argentina’s head coach Gerardo Martino revealed he had no idea about the situation until after the game.

“I have to be completely honest, I found out five minutes ago that his grandmother had passed. I had no idea,” he confessed during a press conference. “I told him that under any circumstance these situations about life are way more important than a soccer match. He expressed to me that he hadn’t said anything because he felt good enough to play.”

Argentina is scheduled to play against Panama on June 10 in Chicago, IL.