Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Friday, November 21, 2025, 09:59 / Updated Friday, November 21, 2025 10:00
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has announced, out of the blue, that Rosario Central is the “Champion of the League” for 2025, a newly created title in full competition season. And the one who lifted the trophy was the very star Angel Di Maria, in his first season after returning to the country.
The announcement, made without warning, surprised the entire country, accustomed to the two traditional trophies (Apertura and Clausura), both decided by playoffs.
Rosario Central, declared champion with 66 points
However, the executive committee of the AFA (Argentinian Football Federation) unanimously decided to introduce a new title: “League Champion”, awarded to the team with the most accumulated points in the regular season of the two tournaments.
Under the new rule, Rosario Central became champions after accumulating 66 points in total in the regular stages of the Apertura and Clausura.
The annual ranking has until now only played a role in determining the teams qualified for the continental competitions or those relegated, but for the first time, it also brings a trophy.
The club was quick to react: “We are the best team of the year”
After winning the trophy, the Rosario Central club reacted through social networks:
“We are the best team of the year“, sent the “canarios”, who immediately added a new star to their coat of arms, the eighth of the professional era.
Returning this summer to the club that formed him, Di Maria was present at the ceremony and lifted the new trophy.
An increasingly complicated season, changed on the fly
The AFA's decision comes in a context where Argentine football has been marked, in recent years, by frequent changes in competition formats and promotion and relegation systems.
However, this change is the first such major change to be made during the season and instantly spawns a new champion.
Platense remain the Apertura champions, and the Clausura is still playing, with the playoffs set to begin at the weekend, with Rosario Central already qualified and set to meet Estudiantes.
Di Maria, first title in home country & champion in fourth country
Argentina becomes the fourth country in which the former Benfica, Real Madrid, Manchester United and PSG star has won a title, after Portugal, Spain and France.
Priced at 2 million euros and aged 37, Angel di Maria returned this summer to Rosario Central, his childhood club, where he has already collected 54 matches, 13 goals and 5 assists.
In Argentina's shirt, Di Maria has 145 caps and 31 goals, winning the Copa America and the World Championship.
