Juventus winger Angel Di Maria confirmed his desire to return to Rosario Central in the near future and reflected on Argentina’s World Cup win.
The winger started his career with his home town club after progressing through their youth system, spending one year with the first team before making an €8m move to Benfica in July 2007.
Di Maria signed a one-year contract with Juventus last summer and has struggled to show his best in Turin, directly contributing to five goals across 11 Serie A appearances, missing multiple matches through injury.
Speaking to TyC Sports, Di Maria first discussed his plans for the future.
“I would like to return to Rosario Central, this year or the year after. The illusion of returning to the Gigante de Arroyito is there. That moment will come.”
He touched on an injury he suffered during the World Cup in Qatar.
“I had a small discomfort in an old scar. Against Australia I preferred not to play. Against the Netherlands I was ready to play a few minutes, against Croatia as well, but these are decisions you make depending on the opponent.”
Finally, Di Maria discussed the tactics behind his usage in the World Cup final against France.
“I didn’t expect to play on the left in the final, nor to be a starter. Scaloni still trusted me in a final, he decided to start me. In training I felt very good. I found out in the speech before leaving for the camp.
“When I saw myself on the left, I thought he was confused, but then he explained that we would hurt that way, that that was where I would enjoy it and that we would make a difference because that was their weak point.
“It was like that. It’s a bit like hating a coach who brings up different things in every game and does it because they end up being like that.”
With only six months left on his contract with Juventus, many expect the 34-year-old Di Maria to leave Turin on a free transfer in the summer.