Á. Di María

11 fun facts about Angel Di Maria

Yash Thakur
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Everything you need to know about Argentina and Juventus superstar Angel Di Maria.

Ángel Di María, born on February 14, 1988, in Rosario, Argentina, is a professional footballer who has established himself as one of the most talented players in the world. Known for his exceptional technical abilities, blistering pace, and tactical versatility, Di María has made a significant impact throughout his career.

Di María began his professional journey with Rosario Central in Argentina before moving to Europe to join Portuguese giants Benfica in 2007. His impressive performances in the Primeira Liga attracted the attention of top clubs, and in 2010, he secured a move to Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid.

Di María played a pivotal role in Real Madrid's success during his four-year stint. He won numerous domestic and international titles with the club, including La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and the Copa del Rey. In 2014, Di María made a high-profile move to English club Manchester United. Despite a promising start, injuries hampered his consistency, and his time in the Premier League was relatively short-lived.

The following year, Di María transferred to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for a then-record fee of €63 million, marking a fresh chapter in his career. At PSG, Di María has excelled, forming a formidable attacking trio alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. He has been instrumental in PSG's domestic dominance, playing a vital role in winning multiple Ligue 1 titles, Coupe de France, and Coupe de la Ligue trophies.

On 8 July 2022, Di María joined Juventus as a free agent after signing an annual contract. He scored and assisted on his league debut for the Bianconeri but was substituted in the second half after sustaining an injury. He made his Champions League debut for Juventus, playing in his 100th Champions League match, against his former club Benfica.

On the international stage, Di María has represented the Argentine national team since 2008. He has featured in numerous Copa América tournaments and played a crucial role in Argentina's Copa win in 2021 and their World Cup win in 2022, scoring in both finals. Di María's performances for his country have been widely praised, and he continues to be an integral part of the national team setup.

One of Di María's standout qualities is his versatility. He can operate in various positions across the attacking midfield and wide areas, adapting his style to the needs of the team. His explosive pace and exceptional dribbling skills allow him to take on defenders and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Whether it's scoring goals, providing assists, or unlocking defenses with his intricate dribbling, Di María consistently displays his immense footballing prowess on the grandest stages of the game.

Here are 11 interesting facts about Angel Di Maria that you absolutely need to know.

Editors' Picks

  1. His doctor recommended him to play football

    Angel began practicing football after his doctor advised the boy’s parents to let him play sports in order to channel his boundless energy. The rest is history and big moments in the finals.

  2. Transfer fee of 35 footballs

    Before the glitz and glamour of playing for the biggest clubs in the world, DI Maria created a name for himself in Portugal and Argentina. He began his early career at Rosario Central, one of Argentina’s oldest teams. After being seen by a scout from Rosaria while playing for his local club Torito.

    The cost of the move was 35 footballs. He was really young, perhaps four years old, and he says he’s not sure it actually counts.

  4. Meaning behind the tattooed forearm
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    Meaning behind the tattooed forearm

    Di Maria has a lot of tattoos on his body. The winger and six of his closest pals tattooed the phrase ‘Nacer en El Perdriel fue y sera lo mejor que me paso en la vida’ on his left forearm.

    “Being born in El Perdriel was and will be the best thing that has happened to me in my life.” The tattoo served as a symbol of their roots for Di Maria and his companions, indicating that regardless of where the future takes them their origins will still be in Perdriel’s streets.

  5. Played with Ronaldo and Messi
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    Played with Ronaldo and Messi

    In his illustrious career so far, Di Maria is among very few players to play alongside both, Ronaldo and Messi. His time at Real Madrid saw him play with some of the best players in the world like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Sergio Ramos and he established himself as one of the best in his position as well.

    On the international level, he has played Lionel Messi, representing Argentina in multiple FIFA World Cups and Copa Americas.

  7. Story behind the nickname

    Di Maria was nicknamed 'El Fideo' thanks to his slender Frame. The hardworking, swift and technically brilliant Argentine, nicknamed ‘The Noodle’ or ‘Fideo,' weaves his way through the opposition defences.

  8. La Liga's top assist provider during 2013-14 season
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    La Liga's top assist provider during 2013-14 season

    Di Maria was a spectacle at Real Madrid. During the 2013-14 season with Los Blancos, the Argentine recorded the most assists (17) in the league, ahead of players like Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

  9. Man for the finals
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    Man for the finals

    The 35-year-old winger has a habit of stepping up on big occasions since his early days. He scored the winning goal against Nigeria in the gold medal match at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. He contributed to the club's 1–2 victory over Barcelona in the 2014 Copa del Rey Final with the opening goal and created a magical moment during the La Decima which allowed Los Blancos to take the lead.

    Di Maria also scored in the World Cup final for Argentina in 2022 against France and scored the only goal against Brazil to hand the Albaceleste the Copa America trophy in 2021.

  10. Argentine footballer of the year
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    Argentine footballer of the year

    Di Maria was voted the Argentine Footballer of the Year in 2014, following his strong performances at the World Cup and at Real Madrid. He created more chances at the 2014 World Cup than Golden Ball winner Lionel Messi. He was also voted as part of the Dream Team at the FIFA World Cup 2014.

  12. IFFHS CONMEBOL Team of the Decade

    IFFHS CONMEBOL Team of the Decade

    Di Maria was voted in the CONMEBOL's Team of the Decade from 2011-2020 by the International Federation of Football, History, and Statistics. He was named alongside some big names from the region, like Lionel Messi, Neymar, Marcelo, and Sergio Aguero, highlighting the Argentine's influence in the last decade.

  13. UEFA Team of the Year 2014

    Di Maria's performances in Real Madrid's La Decima run in 2014 resulted in him being voted in the UEFA Team of the Year, alongside former teammates like Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo.

  14. U20 and Senior World Champion
    @iF2is

    U20 and Senior World Champion

    The Argentine winger was crowned World Champion at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar with the senior side, the first time after 1986, but Di Maria was a world champion before as well. He was a part of Argentina's U20 World Cup winning squad in 2007, where he finished with three goals.