Di Maria: “I will always be grateful to Santos, against AEK the best goal in my career”

THE Angel Di Maria bid farewell to Benfica and returns to the Argentinaconcluding his presence with the “Eagles of Lisbon” in the World Cup of Clubs, with the defeat (4-1) by Chelsea in the “16” of the event.

Argentina, before returning to Rosariofrom which he had left in 2007 for the Benficaopened his heart to the fans of Portuguese And, in an interview with the official media of the “Reds”, he spoke, with emotion, about everyone and everything.

At the same time, this interview had … Greek references.

In detail what he said:

For the coaches who marked him: “I am grateful to Fernando Santos for being the one who brought me to Benfica, who saw me at Rosario Central, the U-20 World Cup with Argentina and brought me here. So I will always be grateful to him.

It was he who discovered me and raised me from my level. I trained for four days and played on the weekend. So, for me, Don Angel is the person who gave me the opportunity and, thanks to him, I am who I am today. “

For the best goal in his career: “I have enough (smiles), but if I had to choose one, because I’m here today, it would be that goal (ed: second) I scored in the Europa League for Benfica against AEK (ed: 2-1/ 17.12.09/ scored both goals). I think it was because of the way it was done, the speed and everyone, it was an incredible goal. “

For the top between Messi and Ronaldo: “It’s very difficult to choose one. I think I had the opportunity to play with an incredible generation of players, because I played with Leo (Messi), I played with Chris (Cristiano Ronaldo), I played with Ibra [Ιμπραΐμοβιτς]I played with Rooney, with Van Persie, with Bape, with Neymar. I have a hard time choosing one.

They are all top players in the best of the best, some for more years, others for less, but I had the opportunity to play almost with all of them, or with all of them, if you can say that, so it’s hard to choose one. I have this privilege and I was lucky to be able to play with great players, scorers, players who make the final pass, with players with incredible talent. And that’s what I take with me, this opportunity and this luck that I had the opportunity to play with so many stars. “

For the most difficult defender he faced: “Defensive; I usually get over everyone (laughs). I think Kouti Romero, who is in Tottenham, is one of the most difficult players or defenses to overtake in every respect, because of his speed, his power. ”

For the many titles he conquered: “I arrived as a child and today I am leaving as an adult, and everything that happened during my career I experienced in the same way as when I was 18, now that I am 37. Every title was a huge joy, whether it was the World Cup or any other title. Ever since I started playing, all I wanted to do was enjoying myself on the pitch.

All I care about is enjoying myself, to have fun, to smile, to be happy, and everything that came to me was thanks to this joy that I try to give to people and to myself on the football field. So the titles and where I am today, whether I am at the top, in the bottom or in the middle, depends on what people want to say. For me, the important thing is my family, what did I do during my career, what I enjoyed in my career and the rest are everything else. “