Di Maria: "I hope we win the tenth European Cup next year"

Angel Di Maria (Rosario, 1988) takes stock of a contradictory season for him. On the one hand, he has suffered greatly because of injuries. On the other hand, there was one of the greatest joys of his career after winning the Spanish League with Real Madrid, the club he hopes to be many years. The left-end is like a fish in water in Madrid and in the white club, where he feels the love from the fans, Mourinho and his companions, with whom he has hit it off perfectly despite his shyness. "I feel that people love me too" he says blushing.

Angel Di Maria

Did you suffer much by injuries this season?
Yes, I suffered a lot. It was very hard. Luckily, my wife was very supportive and did not let me fall. Because when I was recovering, dropped again, recovered and dropped again... I was unlucky, because, for example, in the game against Racing I came to the field, I kicked a goal very strong and nothing happened. But then I slipped and was injured. I could not believe it. And now it gone, luckily, but I felt wrong. I am working the quadriceps to keep it strong.

Did you feel supported by Mourinho during recovery?
Mourinho was with me a lot during my recovery. He is an excellent coach. He supports his players. He was always with me during my injury, asking me how I felt and how the recovery process was coming along. It helped because it made me know I'd have the chance to be a starter when I returned. He brought out the best in me. I have grown considerably since he started being my coach; I think I had served 14 assists in the season before I was injured.

What do you think after winning their first league title with Real Madrid?
I am very happy for winning the league title in my second year on the team. It is impressive. I hope we continue to grow and winning titles next year. What matters is we won La Liga and made the fans happy. I hope we win the Tenth next year.

What do you think about the team? Does a new era begins?
We did things much better this year and it showed in all the records we broke, the points we took and goals we scored... We were stronger than Barcelona because we had a nine-point cushion over them and scored more goals. We have to continue establishing records. We proved we can defeat Barcelona. We did a good job throughout the year.

Is the Tenth European Cup an obsession that may end up decreasing performance?
We may win the Tenth any time now. We came close twice and I hope we win the UCL next year so we can celebrate again at Cibeles. It was amazing, one of the best moments in my career.

And about the fans?
I won the fans over with hard work. They have been with me from the start. Everyone told me it was very difficult to win the Bernabeu's affection, but I did. I do not feel pressure any more and play like I do anywhere else; it's the same with my friends than before a crowd 80,000 strong.

Can you imagine playing many years for Real Madrid?
I feel very loved and hopefully remain playing for Real Madrid for many years. I wish I could stay long. I remember the first time I went to the locker room of Real Madrid; to see me there, to feel that I had arrived. I was thrilled. I was in the clouds.

Squad: Angel Di Maria (22)

Angel Di Maria

Angel di Maria is a versatile left winger who can play just as well along the right or serve as a second attacker. The youngster has already garnered accolades on both club and national team levels.

In 2007 Di Maria won the Under-20 World Championship with Argentina and one year later scored the Gold Medal winner in the Olympic Games, where he played alongside Madridista teammates Gago and Garay. In 2009/10 with Benfica, Di Maria won the double and one year prior won the Portuguese League Cup.

The midfielder began his career at Rosario Central and moved to Portugal in the summer of 2007. Three summers later, he found himself on international duty in the 2010 World Cup. His debut with the Argentine national team took place on 6 September 2009 in what was a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay.

Data

• Place of Birth: Rosario, Argentina
• Date of Birth: 14/02/1988
• Position: Midfielder
• Weight: 75 kg
• Height: 180 cm
• Nationality: Argentine

Honours

• Copa del Rey: 2011
• Portuguese Liga: 2009/10
• Portuguese League Cup: 2008/09, 2009/10
• Olympic Gold Medal: 2008
• Under-20 World Championship: 2007
• Best Player of the Portuguese Liga: 2009/10

Higuain and Di Maria: To China with the team

Higuain and Di Maria deplete their holidays after the Copa America. Both have enjoyed two weeks after being eliminated in the quarter-final against Uruguay. Gago, the other Real Madrid player who participated in the tournament (Garay already went to Benfica) stays in Argentina to recover from his injury.

Higuain and Di Maria

Fernando Gago knows that has no place in Jose Mourinho's team and is looking for a way out. The club has given a deadline of August 7 to find destination. He seems to look kindly return to Boca Juniors, the club he left to join Real Madrid.

Higuain and Di Maria will meet again with his teammates who are getting in shape since July 11. The idea is to train slowly with the team and can play minutes in one of the two friendlies matches to dispute in China. Despite being disconnected, Higuain and Di Maria both have followed the evolution of their peers and are aware of the good image showed in the four games played so far.

Left midfielder has many possibilities to be starter if does not come Neymar. Callejon is looking good in the preseason, but he knows Mourinho is pleased with him and the confidence remains intact after his last good season. Meanwhile, Higuain will discuss a position with Benzema. Former River Plate player will face the best version of French. Karim seems more connected than ever and is showing with goals. There will be fighting for the '9'.

Mourinho gives two weeks off to Higuain and Di Maria

The elimination of Argentina in the Copa America 2011, will bring two new reinforcements for Mourinho's Real Madrid after the U.S.A tour. Higuain and Di Maria. Mourinho does not take in account Gago (in the press conference after the match against LA Galaxy, he did not talk about the player and is injured for three weeks) and Garay was transferred to Benfica. Portuguese already gave vacation to these players on May 18 and they enjoyed 21 days before the Copa America. Higuain will stay at least a week in Buenos Aires, while Di Maria traveled to Rosario to stay with his family. In principle, both will have two weeks off and will be back on August 1.

The Portuguese coach took yesterday morning for a walk in Beverly Hills. He was shopping at the mall Roberts Plaza for an hour, accompanied solely by a bodyguard of club. Within an hour, leaving one of the stores, he found seven paparazzi, so he had to return to the hotel. All players of Real Madrid were left resting in his hotel, but four homegrown players were also shopping: Nacho, Joselu, Mejia and Jesus.

Peculiar image. Mourinho at Los Angeles

Note: Manchester United wants Di Maria

Di Maria's statements to Radio 'La Red', demanding improved contract have not fallen on deaf ears and several teams have set their sights on him. The 'Daily Star' claims that Manchester United is keen to gain the services of Argentine midfielder.

According to British newspaper, Ferguson's team would be willing to offer 30 million euros to persuade Real Madrid. In addition, the newspaper tells that the possible arrival of Neymar, who can play as left wing, would be key for the white club can sell the Argentine player.