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Angel Di Maria RETURNS to Benfica snubbing reunion with Lionel Messi at MLS

Angel Di Maria RETURNS to Benfica snubbing reunion with Lionel Messi at MLS

Angel Di Maria is set to return to his childhood club Benfica after he left Juventus near the end of last month.

Di Maria Transfer: Angel Di Maria began his career in Europe at the Portuguese top-flight club benfica. Left in 2010 and spent the following 13 years in several European clubs. At the start of last season, he joined Juventus on a one-year deal. After a tumultuous season at the Serie A club, he has decided to leave and return back to his childhood club, Benfica. Reportedly, Di Maria was approached by Inter Miami. It seems that he has turned down the offer to reunite with his Argentina teammate Lionel Messi. 

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As per the famous transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, Angel Di Maria is said to return to his childhood club Benfica. After leaving PSG where he spend 7 years, Di Maria signed with Juventus at the beginning of last season. The deal was for 1 year and at the end of it, the Argentine decided to leave. Juventus posted on their social media account saying goodbye to the player back in June end. Since his departure, there were numerous rumours as to where he might go next. 

There were several reports that Inter Miami approached him with an offer to reunite with his Argentina teammate Lionel Messi. However, joining inter Miami would have meant leaving European football entirely at the age of 35 years. This prospect could have motivated Di Maria to not accept Di Maria’s offer. Hence, snubbing the chance to reunite with Messi he chose to return to Benfica after 13 years. Considering his form in last year’s World Cup, Di Maria can still play top level European football.

He Rose to prominence during his Benfica days, so the fans still love him there. Hence, even though he had a tough season at Juventus, this transfar could still bear good for both Di Maria and Benfica. The last season for Juventus was an absolute roller coaster. They were facing charges for financial irregularities and false accounting. As a result of this case, their Serie A points were deducted twice last season. Finally the ended the season with 10 points deducted and in 7th position in the league table. 

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Insidesport

Personally, Di Maria had a difficult season as well. He featured in 40 matches throughout all competitions last season. He missed a lot of games due to injuries including a tear in the abductor muscle, two ankle injuries, a thigh issue, a calf issue, and a biceps femoris muscle injury. Yet he managed to score 8 times and provide assists 7 times throughout all competitions. He was also crucial in Argentina’s World Cup final match as is code once and provided an assist. 

It is clear that he could still help Benfica do better in European competitions. Benfica already started improving which was evident in last season. They won the Portuguese Primeira Liga after four seasons. In the Champions League, they topped their group which included PSG and Juventus. They also reached the quarter-finals when the faced Inter Milan and were knocked out by them. Di Maria won two league cups and one league title with Benfica during his previous three year stint with them. He will now try to improve upon those stats. 

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