
Man Utd flop Angel Di Maria in tears as he returns to former club a year after transfer postponed due to death threats
The Argentine winger has won the World Cup, plus the Champions League and La Liga with
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Angel Di Maria shed tears as he rejoined boyhood club Rosario Central
Credit: AFP
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He left the Argentine side 18 years ago for a brilliant career in Europe
Credit: EPA
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Di Maria shined at all of his clubs apart from Manchester United, where he only spent a year
Credit: PA:Press Association
Di Maria amassed five Ligue 1 titles among a host of prizes with
He commanded a £59million fee in 2014 when
The Red Devils took a £15m hit on him when selling him to PSG a year later.
Di Maria has now gone back to hometown club Rosario, 18 years after leaving the central Argentine city for Benfica.
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He had been due to join them last year, but death threats from the drugs underworld prompted him to postpone his move.
The 37-year-old said: "I am proud of all I have achieved until now, but this moment surpasses everything.
"It is very special for me to be able to come home after such a long time - so many years.
"Being able to return to Rosario with my family, to pull on the Central shirt once more and to make the fans happy again means everything.
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"It is something I had dreamed about doing for a long time.
'I had wanted it to happen sooner, but unfortunately it was not possible.
Angel di Maria names Man Utd manager as his 'worst without a doubt' before reporter can even ask in savage TV interview
"But that's in the past, and I'm here now. I am happy, with my family, and this is what I wanted.
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"I have had the opportunity to meet all my new teammates, to train, wear the club shirt once again, and to play for this great club once more."
Di Maria's career stats
Rosario Central, 2005-2007: 39 games, 6 goals
Benfica, 2007-2010: 125 games, 15 goals
Real Madrid, 2010-2014: 190 games, 36 goals
Man Utd, 2014-2015: 32 games, 4 goals
PSG, 2015-2022: 295 games, 92 goals
Juventus, 2022-2023: 40 games, 8 goals
Benfica, 2023-2025: 92 games, 36 goals
Rosario Central, 2025-present: 0 games, 0 goals
Argentina, 2008-2024: 145 games, 31 goals
Trophies
Benfica: Primeira Liga, League Cup x3, Portuguese Super Cup
Real Madrid: La Liga, Copa del Rey x2, Spanish Super Cup, Champions League, Uefa Super Cup
PSG: Ligue 1 x5, French Cup x5, League Cup x4, Champions Trophy x5
Argentina: U20 World Cup, Olympics 2008, World Cup, Copa America x2, Uefa Cup of Champions
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