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3. Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid)
Angel Di Maria is a name that sends shivers down the spine of several established defenders. Ever since he broke into the Benfica starting 11, the Argentine has been a delight to watch for millions of football fans and a threat of unparalleled proportions for the opposition managers.
Given his pedigree as an attacking threat, it was believed to be a match made in heaven when Di Maria signed for European heavyweights Real Madrid in the summer of 2010 and the 29-year-old made sure that the world sat up and took notice of his skills with his performances in the Los Blancos colours.
It was healthy till the summer of 2014 as Di Maria had enjoyed a stellar campaign with Real Madrid having scored 7 goals and assisted another 22, in the process winning the UEFA Champions League. But in a rather suspicious turn of events, Di Maria went from being one of the best Real Madrid attackers to an outcast after the arrival of James Rodriguez in a big money transfer and was forced to leave Real Madrid for Manchester United in what was a record British transfer fee at that time.
Di Maria was not very happy with the way Real forced him out of the club and made sure that the world knows that he did not want to leave the Santiago Bernabeu in a letter he wrote post signing for Manchester United.
“Unfortunately, today I have to leave, but I want to make it clear that was never my wish. After winning the 10th European Cup, I went to the World Cup with the hope of receiving a gesture from the board. They talked about many things and many lies. They always wanted to place the initiative on me for leaving the club, but it was not like this. Unfortunately, I am not to the footballing tastes of some people. The only thing that I asked for is something that would be fair. There are many things I value which have nothing to do with my salary”, wrote Di Maria in an open letter to the Real Madrid supporters.
It was a move that failed to live up to its promise and Di Maria left United for PSG after spending just 1 season at the club where he continues to resurrect his status as one of football’s elite attackers.
