Former Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria has sensationally claimed that the club asked him not to play in the World Cup final earlier this summer.
Di Maria, now a Manchester United player, was suffering from an injury at the time and claims he would have defied his club orders had he been selected, possibly sparking the breakdown with the Madrid hierarchy which lead to his sale last month.
“Sabella made the decision [Not to play me] and it was for the best. I was getting treatment to try to play and I knew if I played I had a 90% chance of getting hurt,” he reportedly told Radio America.
“A letter arrived at 11. When I got it I ripped it up. I didn’t speak to anyone from the club. I didn’t care,” he added.
The Argentine midfielder then recently penned a letter to the Los Blancos supporters after his British record 75-million-euro transfer.
It contained various digs towards those higher up inside the Madrid club, most probably aimed at president Florentino Perez, who has responded angrily to these quotes.
Di Maria’s statement included: “Unfortunately I have to go, but I want to make clear that this was never my desire. I went to the World Cup with the hope of receiving a new contract, which never came. Many things and many lies were spoken.
“I always gave everything. I take forever in my memory that time in the Supercopa when I received the fans immense affection. Thank you.”
