Angel di Maria: Real Madrid sent me a letter telling me not to play in the World Cup final
- Real Madrid did not want Angel di Maria to aggravate his thigh injury and the La Liga club are claimed to have asked the Argentina midfielder not to play
- The 26-year-old says Real sent him a letter at 11am on the day of the final
- Di Maria subsequently missed the World Cup final defeat against Germany
- 'As soon as I got that letter, I ripped it up. I did not care, no matter what,' says Di Maria, who joined Manchester United for £60million from Real
- 'Cristiano (Ronaldo) was always on my side. He fought for me to stay. I don't know how long he will stay at Madrid,' adds the attacking midfielder
- Di Maria says he has 'no relationship' with Real president Florentino Perez
Angel di Maria has claimed Real Madrid ordered him not to play in the World Cup final.
Manchester
United's new £60million British record signing has already blamed Real
Madrid president Florentino Perez for his departure from the European
champions, insisting that he originally had no intention to leave this
summer.
Di
Maria was a doubt ahead of the World Cup final against Germany in July
with a thigh injury, and he has revealed that the decision for him to
miss out was made by Alejandro Sabella, Argentina's then coach, and not
Madrid who had sent a letter advising him to sit it out.
VIDEO Scroll down to watch Angel di Maria shine in Argetina's 4-2 win over Germany
Back in action: Angel di Maria has claimed Real Madrid sent him the letter on the day of the World Cup final
Claims: The Argentinian attacking midfielder says his former club Real asked him not to play against Germany
Return: Manchester United's Di Maria was subsequently sidelined in the World Cup final defeat by a thigh injury
'What
I love the most is playing with Argentina,' said Di Maria. 'I received a
letter at 11am from Real Madrid, on the day of the game while I was in
physio, trying to be the best I could be for the final, telling me to
not play in the World Cup final. I was thinking about playing in the
final, although I knew that if I did there was a 90percent chance I’d
re-injure myself. When I read it, I ripped up the letter. I suffered a
lot that morning. That was the worst thing to ever happen in my life. I
didn’t speak to anyone at the club about this. It doesn’t matter. In the
end, it was Sabella who made the decision and it was for the best.'
Talking
to Argentine radio programme America y Closs, Di Maria added: 'I talked
with Alejandro and it was his decision. I didn't want to pressure him. I
knew I could have to come off after 15 minutes and leave the team, I
didn't want that.'
Ready to leave: Di Maria's deflated relationship with Real president Florentino Perez helped him leave Spain
Sign: Di Maria left the Bernabeu after the summer arrivals of star duo Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez
Manchester bound: Di Maria revealed he 'never said I wanted to leave Madrid' and his fellow team-mates
Di
Maria and Madrid president Perez have been involved in a public row in
recent weeks with the 67-year-old suggesting the player moved for the
money. Perez, criticised for allowing the Argentine winger to leave,
claimed that only Cristiano Ronaldo would have earned more at the
Santiago Bernabeu had Di Maria signed a contract extension.
Di
Maria, who will trigger a bonus payment to Madrid should he win the
Ballon d'Or with United, said: 'I saw what he said. To be able to earn
what Cristiano earns I would have had to have been the best player at
the World Cup or won the Ballon d'Or. It looks like he [Perez] gave that
offer to another person. I don't have a clue who he offered that to. I
don't have much of a relationship with him. When I signed a new deal he
wasn't there either.
Making the move: Di Maria completed his switch from Real Madrid to Manchester United last month
Eyes on the ball: Di Maria made his debut for United in the goalless draw with Burnley last week
Separated: Cristiano Ronaldo and Di Maria embrace during their time at the Bernabeu before the latter's move
Pals: Real Madrid president Perez has defended his transfers after Ronaldo's comments about the transfers
Missing him yet, Cristiano? Ronaldo spoke out about Di Maria's £60m move to his ex-club Manchester United
'I
never said I wanted to leave Real Madrid, I never wanted that, but you
have to move when they don't want you. Let them say what they want about
me, the millions they received for selling me will help the Real Madrid
economy very well.'
Di
Maria also confirmed reports that Ronaldo wanted him to stay and that
the former Manchester United winger could yet lose patience with Perez
himself.
'Cristiano was always on my side. I don't know how much he will put up with at Real Madrid.'
Di
Maria made his Manchester United debut in a goalless draw against
Burnley before the international break and maintains that he will need
time.
'I'm
very happy but still I have to adapt,. I hope we can put Manchester
United back where they deserve to be. I had got used to the style of
play in Spain, now I have to adapt as soon as possible.
'I don't know how to speak English yet, they have given me a teacher. I call [Juan] Mata so he can help me.
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Waving goodbye: Perez has defended Real's transfer policy after their comings and goings were questioned
Insistent: Perez says Real offered Di Maria the chance to be the second-best paid player at the Spanish club
'I
hope we can put Manchester United back where they belong. I’m still
used to the La Liga style of play and I need to adapt as soon as
possible.'
Di Maria's representative Eugenio Lopez says the winger would have stayed at Real Madrid for less money.
Talking
to Spanish radio station Cadena Cope, Lopez said: 'The idea was to wait
and come to an agreement with Real Madrid in order for him to stay. He
wanted to earn what they promised him and he would’ve stayed for much
less than Manchester United is paying him.
'He
signed until 2018, but he wanted to improve his deal. Which is normal.
They brought in Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez. That was a sign that
something was wrong. But they didn’t bring in James because Di Maria
wanted to leave. They are very different players.
'Before
the World Cup there was no offer from Real Madrid. He never asked for
£6.3m per year and would’ve stayed for much less, even though there was a
club who offered more.
'We
started to negotiate, but Real Madrid didn’t budge. I’m speaking in
reference of what Florentino Perez said. Ancelotti did everything he
could to keep Di Maria.
'When
they played Atletico Madrid in the Supercopa, the ovation from the
crowd was tremendous. He’s only a fan of Rosario Central, but he loves
Real Madrid
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