SUMMARY
- Angel Di Maria could not play in the 2014 World Cup Finals.
- Di Maria had a thigh injury during the quarterfinals of the world cup.
Angel Di Maria played an influential role in Argentina’s triumph in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The winger earned a penalty for the first goal and scored the second himself in the final against France. The inspiring performance in the final was a redemption for the winger, who missed out on the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil due to an injury.
The winger has talked about the complexity of the matter back in 2014. Many different narratives were involved behind the scenes. Among all the discussions, Real Madrid came out in a negative light when the winger revealed how the Spanish club tried to interfere in his decision before the 2014 World Cup final.
Real Madrid wanted to force out Angel Di Maria out of 2014 FIFA World Cup final
The Benfica winger revealed that he tore his thigh muscle in the quarterfinals of the tournament, which kept him out of the semi-finals. He was nursing the injury in the meantime to make it to the final of the tournament. The winger was willing to go to his limit to get a chance to play for his national team.
This was bad news for Real Madrid, who were looking to offload the winger after the tournament to bring in the breakout star of the tournament, James Rodriguez. The winger revealed that the team doctor came to him to give a letter from Real Madrid.
Ángel Di María: “It was the morning of the 2014 World Cup Final, at exactly 11 a.m., and I was sitting on the trainer’s table about to get an injection in my leg. I had torn my thigh muscle in the quarterfinals, but with painkillers, I could run without feeling anything. I told… pic.twitter.com/QFh7sAWsiN
— Players’ Tribune Football (@TPTFootball) February 13, 2024
Daniel Martínez, the team doctor, revealed that Real Madrid is forcing them to not play the winger in the World Cup final against Germany. The Argentine winger responded by stating: “Throw it away. The one who decides here is me.”
Angel Di Maria was frustrated with the Spanish club, who wanted to safeguard their asset to recoup higher value for him in the transfer window of 2014. The incident laid the foundation for the winger’s exit from Real Madrid and a move to Manchester United in the summer of 2014. Real Madrid did what they wanted and replaced the Argentine with James Rodriguez.
Alejandro Sabella replaced Angel Di Maria with Enzo Perez due to fitness issues
Angel Di Maria talked to the national head coach, Alejandro Sabella, on the morning of the final. He informed the winger that Enzo Perez would play in the final because he wasn’t 100% fit to play. The winger understood the issue and was happy to sit on the side to avoid being a burden on his teammates.
Happy birthday to the World Cup, Copa America, Finalissima and Olympic gold champion, Ángel Di María! The goal scorer of all finals, the ultimate big match player, the most underrated player of his generation. 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/qT9CJ3bj0f
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) February 14, 2024
The winger revealed that he broke down in tears in front of Sabella when he went to speak with him on the morning of the final. He also stated that the loss was the most difficult day of his life. The winger was bashed in the media after the loss because he couldn’t get fit in the time. The loss and the whole incident bothered the winger for eight years before he could redeem himself in Qatar in 2022.