Eyes on the prize for Angel Di Maria
Argentine star Angel Di Maria has high hopes for himself and his new team, Real Madrid. The winger, who just left Benfica, is confident that he can contribute significantly to the team. Furthermore, the promising winger has his sights set on the highest honours in the Champions League.
Real Madrid announced at the end of June this year that an agreement has been reached with Benfica to transfer the 22-year old winger to Los Blancos for an a deal reportedly worth 25m euros. The deal was completed after Di Maria returned from the World Cup. After losing to the Germans, Di Maria signed a six-year contract with Real Madrid. Di Maria was the first signing for Madrid this summer.
It is, of course, every football player’s ultimate dream to belong to a prestigious club like Real Madrid and that includes Di Maria. Di Maria was heard saying, “"I am happy here. Being surrounded by the best players and being managed by a great coach are what I always dreamed about."
Di Maria will work with big names in football such as Cristiano Ronaldo,Iker Casillas,Kaka, Raul Albiol, Sergio Ramos, Xavi Alonso, Wesley Sneijder, among others. Real Madrid was also home to football legends such as David Beckham, Figo, Ronaldo, and Zidane.
The young Argentine is in good hands as he will be managed by Jose Mourinho, considered one of the best coaches in the world and also dubbed as “The Special One.” Di Maria praised Mourinho for his ability to bring out the best in every player.
"The coach has made it clear that you will play if you work hard. He always says that whoever doesn't run doesn't play. Mourinho is a good coach because he is demanding. He knows that every player can always give more than he already is,” said the winger.
Di Maria is easy to spot in the football field. A quick-moving player, FIFA’s official website describes him as “a speedy and technically gifted left-winger with the ability to create and score goals.” He started his international career as part of the blue and white team in the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007. The youngster started out on the bench but was soon included in the starting XI and proved to be instrumental for Argentina in their victory. In the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008, he scored two important goals which helped the team secure victory.
Diego Maradona, the coach of Argentina and former football superstar, has nothing but praises for the young lad.
“He’s a spectacular player, a real thoroughbred,” said Maradona in an interview with FIFA.com.
Di Maria treasures his experience in Beijing and in another interview by FIFA.com, he says that he has a lot of happy memories there and he thinks that already by Beijing Maradona had taken a liking to his style of play. Maradona included him in the roster of Argentine players in the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
Di Maria showed potential in the tournament, which impressed a lot of football fans. The team was doing very well until they succumbed to a 0-4 loss against Germany. But even if his team lost, there is still a bright future ahead for the promising winger. He won two Portugese League cups with Benfica. He was named the best player of the Portugese league last season, as his briliant performance was crucial in the club’s victory.
At 22, the young winger has achieved quite a lot but he acknowledges that he has a long way to go. That is why he is more than happy to be in Real Madrid, surrounded by the best coach and players in football: "I am going to learn a lot. I hope I make the starting XI. I believe I can. I think I am capable. If I work hard day in and day out I will do so. I am not scared of anything, which is what brought me all the way here.”
The move to a prestigious and reputable club like Real Madrid is an important transition for Di Maria. The Argentine has his sights set on winning the Champions League, with confidence, determination, passion and notable skills.
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