Argentine International Di Maria has blamed European Champions Real Madrid for his exit from Santiago Bernabéu.
After winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, Angel Di Maria signed for Manchester United for a British record £60 million.
The World class forward claims he would have stayed at Madrid for a lot less than what he is earning now, but identified the attitude of the club towards him as the cause of his exit.
Talking to Argentine radio programme America y Closs, he said:
‘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.’
Di Maria’s exit from Real Madrid had attracted comment from the club’s president Florentino Perez who claimed the 26-year-old left for the money.
Refuting Perez’s claim, Di Maria 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.“
“Di Maria never asked for €8m per year and would’ve stayed for much less, even though there was a club who offered more.”
said Eugenio Lopez, the Argentine’s agent, “He wanted to earn what they promised him and he would’ve stayed for much less than Manchester United is paying him.” Lopez added.