Di Maria, 34, joined Rosario as a four-year-old, spending the next 15 years with the club before a starring performance in the Under-20 World Cup saw Benfica come knocking.
His move to Benfica was the beginning of a remarkable European career, where he proceeded to play for Real Madrid, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain before landing in Italy with Juventus.
Despite all his success in Europe, Di Maria spoke about his desire to return to his roots in an interview with former player Ezequiel Lavezzi, who represented Argentina on the international stage 51 times between 2007 and 2016.
"I'd like to go back to Rosario," he said. "I know it's difficult... but it's as I always say – the dream of all those in Argentina is to come and play in Europe, mine is to return one day to wear the Rosario Central shirt.
"It's reality, I've always said it. If I get the chance, I'd love to."
Rosario currently sit 19th in the 28-team top division in Argentina, and with little spending power, it would require a massive pay cut to become a reality.
Tevez was only handed his first coaching role by the Argentine Primera Division side in June and his tenure has proved to be short.
The former Argentina striker stepped down on Thursday after Rosario's presidential elections were put back from last weekend to next month.
Amid off-field uncertainty, Tevez says it was in the best interest of both four-time Argentinian champions Rosario and himself that he opted to walk away.
"I want to communicate to the Rosario Central fans that I'm going to step aside, I'm not going to continue," he said during a press conference.
"I want to thank the fans for these four and a half months, almost five months of support. The truth is that I have no words to thank everyone for the affection, the dedication and the sacrifice of all these months.
"[I'm taking this decision] always thinking of Rosario Central, the club always comes first. I'm stepping aside thinking about the club. I don't want to be an obstacle to anyone.
"Let whoever comes in have the freedom to make his own signings. The most sensible thing I can do is to step aside."
With regards to the club's presidential elections, the 38-year-old added: "From the first day I said I wasn't coming to do politics, and when my name is used [in politics], it's something I don't like. They [president candidates] weren't talking about a project, they were talking about Tevez.
"It's not a fair game for me, because I'm not from here, I'm not a Rosario Central born guy. I'm a manager and I don't want to do politics.
"[The elections] should have been last Sunday. Then it was postponed until December. It's something that catches us in the middle and you don't know who you're talking to. And if they postpone it until next year, we spent four or five months again with people who were not well disposed, angry. We've been managing it, with ups and downs, but we've been managing it.
"There is nothing else. As I have always said, Rosario Central comes first and not the people. When they want to put my name in politics, I won't allow that. I always want the best for Central."
Rosario are 20th in the Argentine top flight with only seven wins from 27 games.
Former Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus forward Tevez, who began and ended his playing career with Boca Juniors, hung up his boots in early June.
His appointment with Rosario Central was confirmed on Tuesday as the 38-year-old was handed his first coaching job by the top flight club.
Tevez won a remarkable 26 titles in his career and is among only four Argentine players to win both CONMEBOL's Copa Libertadores and the Champions League, lifting the biggest prize in European club football with United in 2008.
He was a regular member of the Argentina national team for many years, featuring alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain, but missed out on the squad for the 2014 World Cup where the team finished as runners-up to Germany.
Four-time Argentinian champions Rosario Central revealed on Tuesday that Tevez has signed a one-year deal, announcing on Twitter: "The Apache becomes the new blue-gold coach, after signing a contract with the club for 12 months."
Prior to Tevez signing his contract, goalkeeper Gaspar Servio told TNT Sports: "For me, it's something special that Carlitos [Tevez] can come here.
"If he does come here, the group will back him to the death."
Former Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus forward Tevez announced his retirement last month at the age of 38, citing the death of his father as the reason why he turned down offers to continue playing.
Tevez won a remarkable 26 titles in his career and is among only four Argentine players to win both the CONMEBOL Libertadores Cup and the Champions League, lifting the biggest prize in European club football with United in 2008.
The former striker played his final game for boyhood club Boca Juniors in 2021, but could now be set to return to his homeland in a coaching capacity after four-time Argentinian champions Rosario Central confirmed their ambition to appoint him.
Vice-president Ricardo Carloni told TyC Sports: "The board accepted a proposal put forward by Tevez's staff, and we are now moving forward with the negotiations.
"We will discuss it this weekend. The proposal was approved by the board. The idea is that if all goes well, we could have him by Tuesday."
Goalkeeper Gaspar Servio, meanwhile, is enthused by the prospect of working under Tevez, telling TNT Sports: "For me, it's something special that Carlitos [Tevez] can come here.
"If he does come here, the group will back him to the death. I hope he comes. He has a lot of experience as a player, and we are all ready to learn and to help Central."
