La Liga Player Profile – Real Madrid’s Angel Di Maria
Argentinean midfielder Angel Di Maria is a promising young star who climbed up the ranks in Argentina to earn himself a ticket to South Africa. His impressive performances for his side Benfica and his national side was enough for the Spanish giants Real Madrid to come knocking on his door. He signed with the Los Blancos, and is all set to shine in the new season in La Liga.
The winger was the part of the youth system at Rosario Central, and impressed everyone with his blazing speed and technical ability. A naturally gifted youngster, Maria has the ability to create goals for his teammates as well as unleash a powerful strike to find the net on his own. His impressive performance at the 2007 U-20 FIFA World Cup led to interests from many clubs around Europe, with Benfica signing the player.
There was no stopping the player when he played for the Portuguese side Benfica, and he quickly made a name for himself. He joined the Portuguese side in July 2007. A total of eight million Euros was paid for the left winger by Benfica, which was a high amount for any 19-year old. He turned out to be a good investment, as he tormented the opponent’s defence using his pace and dribbling ability, and created a lot of goal-scoring chances. Angel was therefore considered (by team president Filipe Vieira) a like for like replacement for former club captain Simao, who had joined Atletico Madrid in Spain. Simao had made a huge name for himself at the club, and to be compared to such a player was a great achievement for Maria. Maria came up to the fans’ expectations, leading him to sign a new contract till 30 June, 2015, with a minimum 40 million buyout clause. Argentinean legend and national team coach in the World Cup labelled him as the next Argentinean superstar. Maria scored his first hat-trick against Leixoes in February 2010, establishing himself in Europe’s elite (making headlines as ‘Magic Tri Maria’ the very next day).
His exciting performance with the Portuguese club led to the Los Blancos signing the player for fee around 25 million Euros, plus additional 11 million Euros on incentives. He signed with the club on 7th July, when he passed the medical at the Bernabeu, and is to be unveiled once he is back from his World Cup break.
As far as his international career is concerned, Maria was selected to play in the U-20 FIFA World Cup squad in 2007. The Argentineans eventually won the tournament, and Angel was able to score three goals in the tournament. His impressive performance at the tournament led to his inclusion in Argentina’s Olympic squad for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His winning goal in the 105th minute was enough to sink Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
He produced a moment of brilliance for his side in the Olympics yet again, when his team played Nigeria in the final of the Olympics. The winger managed a spectacular chip shot over the keeper, from the edge of the 16 yard box, which proved out to be the winning goal of the tournament. Argentina won the match, and Maria won his first ever gold medal in the process. It was Argentina’s second straight Olympic win. His impressive performances in the Olympics earned him a spot in Diego Maradona’s 23-man 2010 World Cup squad. He made five impressive performances in his side’s World Cup campaign, which ended prematurely when the Argentineans lost 4-0 to Germany in the quarterfinals. Maria nonetheless impressed every time he had the ball at his feet, and created many through passes and opportunities for his side to capitalize. He also took notable attempt on goal, which were stopped by some real solid goalkeeping.
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