Former Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria has taken a deep look back at his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, offering honest reflections on his career, his departure, and the current managerial situation at the club.
Speaking in an interview with AS, the Argentine opened up about moments that defined his Madrid spell and the figures who shaped his journey.
Di Maria arrived at Real Madrid in 2010 after completing a move worth €25 million, plus a further €11 million in incentives.
Reflecting on that moment, he made it clear that the decision required no hesitation.
"When Real Madrid came calling, it was obvious I couldn’t say no. It is the biggest club in the world, and it was a privilege to be able to go there."
His arrival also coincided with the appointment of Jose Mourinho as Real Madrid manager, a period Di Maria remembers with great affection.
Asked what Mourinho meant to him, the winger did not hold back.
"Mou is number one, far ahead of the rest, as a person and as a coach, because of what he gives to the players, the team, and the club."
"He gave me everything and I will always be grateful to him."
The Argentine also shared his thoughts on the club’s recent managerial decisions, particularly the dismissal of Xabi Alonso.
Di Maria admitted he was surprised by the call. " Mbappe already said that it wasn’t a failure because he only lost the Super Cup final against Barcelona, which wasn’t so bad."
"The thing is, the pressure at Madrid isn’t easy. There’s little patience at such a big club and they want quick results, but he’s a great coach."
Alonso’s replacement, Alvaro Arbeloa, is another former teammate. Asked whether he sees similarities between Arbeloa and Mourinho, he said,
"I don’t know what he’s like as a coach. He was a great guy, I liked him and we had a good relationship."
"He didn’t start well, but he’s turned things around and it looks like things could go well for him."
With Arbeloa and Mourinho set to face each other in the Champions League, Di Maria admitted his loyalties are divided, especially with his history at Benfica.
"This time I’m staying in the middle (laughs). Madrid are almost through and Benfica have a tougher task, but I can’t take sides."
"I was very happy at both places, and I can’t choose. May God’s will be done."
Finally, Di Maria revisited the painful circumstances of his Madrid exit.
"Yes [I was sad], because I didn’t want to leave. It was said that I wanted to earn the same as Cristiano, but that was a lie."
"How could I expect to earn the same as someone who has won several Ballon d’Or awards?"
"I was very happy, I had won the Champions League and Ancelotti didn’t want me to leave either, but James [ Rodriguez] had arrived and I was the one on the market to leave."
He then detailed how the decision was taken out of his hands and how he moved to Manchester United, a move that did not work for the player at all.
"I tried to stay until the last day. I wanted to keep training."
"I played in the first leg of the Super Cup against Atleti, and in the second leg they didn’t even call me up because they had already reached an agreement with Manchester United, something I didn’t know about."
"My family and I were very happy, but sometimes these things happen, and it happened to me."