Angel Di Maria has revealed Real Madrid asked him to not play in the World Cup final. The European champions told the winger to miss the biggest game of his career for fear he might aggravate a thigh injury. Di Maria insists he ignored the request, although he did start the game on the bench.
"I got a letter from Madrid that arrived at 11am on the day of the (World Cup final) asking me not to play," Di Maria told America & Closs.
"We were playing at 4pm and I was preparing myself to be in the best condition, knowing that I could have got injured. I was thinking about playing in the final, although I knew that if I did there was a 90 per cent chance I'd re-injure myself.
"As soon as I got that letter, I ripped it up. I did not care, no matter what.
"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."
With the player ignoring his club’s demand, it came down to Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella to make a call on his participation. The manager elected to leave one of his stars on the bench for the tie with Germany.
"In the end, it was Sabella who made the decision and it was for the best."
Argentina went on to lose the game 1-0 after extra time. In the first post-World Cup meeting between the sides, in the form of a friendly game this last week, Di Maria was the undoubted star, scoring one and assisting three in a 4-2 win to spoil Germany's World Cup winning celebration party.
Di Maria left Madrid this summer, joining Manchester United in a deal worth €75 million. Di Maria was key to both Real and Argentina last year but found his position marginalised at the Bernabeu following the singings of Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, from Bayern Munich and Monaco respectively. The club have claimed the player requested a move, but Di Maria rejects this, along with saying he never had a relationship with Real Madrid owner Florentino Perez.
"I never said I wanted to leave Madrid. The club decided to buy other players. I always had a great relationship with my team-mates," he said.
"I have no relationship with Florentino Perez. When I signed my contract, he was not present."
Real Madrid’s transfer policy has been questioned, including by star player Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Portuguese questioning the wisdom of allowing Di Maria and Xabi Alonso – who signed for German champions Bayern Munich for £5m – to leave this summer.
“If I was in charge, maybe I would have done things differently,” Ronaldo said. “I have very clear opinions but I can’t always say what I think,” Ronaldo added.
Madrid's transfer policy this summer has left some wondering if the club have left themselves short of options, while discarding valuable assets without adequate replacements. The sales of Alonso – to a direct Champions League rival – and Di Maria, was added to with the sale of young Spanish striker Alvaro Morata to Juventus, and the apparent failure – or lack of desire - to land Radamel Falcao on loan, thus leaving Karim Benzema as the club’s number one striker, with Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez on loan as the sole backup.
Di Maria says Ronaldo tried to convince him to stay at the Bernabeu: "Cristiano was always on my side.
"He fought for me to stay. I don't know how long he will stay at Madrid.”
Di Maria admitted settling in at Manchester United may take time, but he is positive about the switch to English football.
"I was having a good time in Spain, so the change will have its toll. I have to adapt to my new team-mates, but I hope it will be as quick as possible.
"I want to score goals and get United back to where they should be. I'm very happy to be in Manchester."
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