Former Manchester United signing Angel Di Maria has launched a fresh attack on what he describes as "lies" surrounding his controversial move to Old Trafford, specifically refuting suggestions he sought a salary matching Cristiano Ronaldo's at Real Madrid.
The Infamous Transfer Saga
Angel Di Maria's £59.7 million transfer from Real Madrid to Manchester United in 2014 remains one of the Premier League's most discussed failed moves. The Argentina international lasted just a single season at Old Trafford before being sold at a significant loss to Paris Saint-Germain in 2015, a departure that has sparked debate and speculation for nearly a decade.
Addressing the Ronaldo Wage Claims
In a revealing interview with Spanish publication AS, Di Maria directly confronted persistent rumours that his departure from Real Madrid stemmed from wage demands equal to those of Cristiano Ronaldo. "It was said that I wanted to earn the same as Cristiano, but that was a lie," Di Maria stated emphatically. "How could I expect to earn the same as someone who has won several Ballon d'Or awards?"
The midfielder elaborated on his desire to remain at the Bernabéu, explaining that manager Carlo Ancelotti had wanted him to stay, but the arrival of James Rodríguez made him the expendable asset. "I was very happy, I had won the Champions League and Ancelotti didn't want me to leave either, but James had arrived and I was the one on the market to leave," he revealed.
A Reluctant Departure
Di Maria's account paints a picture of a player forced into a move against his will. He described attempting to stay at Real Madrid "until the last day," even training with the squad while negotiations with Manchester United progressed without his full knowledge. "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," Di Maria disclosed.
The emotional toll was evident as he added: "My family and I were very happy, but sometimes these things happen, and it happened to me."
Family Discontent in Manchester
Di Maria was not alone in his dissatisfaction with life in Manchester. His wife, Jorgelina Cardoso, publicly expressed her disdain for the city in 2020, contrasting it unfavourably with their previous life in Madrid. "It was horrible. Manchester is the worst. It is all horrible in Manchester," she stated, revealing she had initially refused to accompany her husband. "We were perfect, the weather was perfect, the food was perfect. And suddenly he said that there was a proposal to go to Manchester. I told him, 'Not a chance. You are going alone.'"
Post-United Career Trajectory
Following his disappointing stint at Manchester United, Di Maria rebuilt his career successfully at Paris Saint-Germain, where he spent seven seasons, scoring 92 goals in 295 appearances and collecting numerous domestic honours including:
- Five Ligue 1 titles
- Five French Cups
- Four French League Cups
Subsequent moves to Juventus and a return to Benfica preceded his emotional homecoming to Argentina with Rosario Central last year, completing a career circle that began far from the pressures of Old Trafford.
Di Maria's candid revelations provide new perspective on one of Manchester United's most expensive transfer missteps, challenging long-held narratives about the motivations behind his brief and troubled Premier League chapter.
