Angel Di Maria Biography: Net Worth, Age, Career, Records, Family, Achievements!
Angel Di Maria was born on February 14, 1988 in Rosario, Argentina. He came from a humble background and his parents struggled to make ends meet. As a child, Di Maria often played football on the streets with his friends using rolled up socks as a ball if they didn’t have a real one.
Despite the family’s financial difficulties, his parents supported his dream to become a professional footballer. His first club was Rosario Central, one of the most prestigious clubs in Argentina that has produced players like Gabriel Batistuta.
Family and Relationships
Di Maria married his longtime partner, Jorgelina Cardoso in 2011. The couple have two daughters together – Mia, born in 2013 and Pia, born in 2016. He has frequently spoken about how important his family is to him and that they keep him grounded.
In 2022, a burglary attempt was made on Di Maria’s home while he was playing in a match for PSG. This traumatic incident prompted him and his family to move out of Paris for their safety. Family continues to be the driving force in Di Maria’s life.
Di Maria’s Playing Career and Records
Angel Di Maria’s professional career started in 2005 with Rosario Central in the Argentine Primera Division.
As an 18 year old, he quickly established himself as a key player for the club. His dribbling skills and pace as a winger or attacking midfielder earned him the nickname “Fideo” which means noodle in Spanish.
In 2007, Portuguese club Benfica signed him for a reported fee of €6 million. This move opened the doors for Di Maria to showcase his talents in Europe.
Success at Real Madrid
After moving to Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2010 for €25 million, Di Maria had the best years of his career. Playing alongside stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil, he was instrumental in helping Real Madrid win domestic and European honors.
Some of his achievements with Real Madrid include:
- La Liga title in 2011-12
- Copa del Rey in 2010-11 and 2013-14
- UEFA Champions League in 2013-14
- UEFA Super Cup in 2014
Di Maria holds the record for most assists in a single Champions League season – with 6 assists during their victorious 2013-14 campaign.
Time at Manchester United and PSG
In 2014, Di Maria signed with Manchester United for €75 million, making him the most expensive player in British football at the time. Unfortunately injuries limited his time at Manchester United to just one season.
He then moved to French club Paris Saint-Germain in 2015 where he regained his form and became an integral part of PSG’s attack. He has won multiple Ligue 1 titles and other domestic honors at PSG.
In 2021, Di Maria recorded the most assists in France’s Ligue 1, tying the record with 18 assists in a single season.
Net Worth, Salary and Endorsements
According to CelebrityNetWorth, Angel Di Maria’s net worth is an estimated $95 million as of 2023.
His annual salary at Juventus is reportedly £108,000 (€120,000) per week, enabling him to maintain a lavish lifestyle.
Some of his endorsement deals include:
- Adidas – Di Maria has a longstanding relationship with Adidas as one of their iconic athletes.
- Prestige watches – Di Maria promotes luxury Swiss watches from brands like Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille.
- Gatorade
- Pepsi
His marketability, playing style and winning legacy have made him an attractive proposition for brands over his career spanning more than 15 years now.
Table summarizing Angel Di Maria’s net worth over the years:
Year | Net Worth Estimate |
---|---|
2013 | $14 million |
2017 | $22 million |
2020 | $28 million |
2022 | $95 million |
Di Maria’s Age and Physical Attributes
Having turned 35 in February 2022, Di Maria is in the twilight of his playing career now. Since emerging as a young talent from Rosario Central, he has maintained a relatively injury-free career at the highest level.
Some of his key physical attributes are:
- Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Weight: 75 kg
- Strong acceleration and agility
- Stamina and work rate
- Ambidextrous – can shoot with both feet
He has adapted his playing style to lose less pace with age. Under Lionel Scaloni for the Argentinian national team, Di Maria operates more through the center rather than traditional touchline-hugging wingers. Remodeling himself as an inverted playmaker has given longevity to his career.
Injuries
While mostly injury-free in his career, Di Maria did sustain some injuries at key moments, especially at Manchester United and PSG.
- 2014: Persistent adductor issues limited his appearances in an underwhelming season at Manchester United.
- 2018 World Cup: Suffered a muscle tear ruling him out of action for Argentina
- 2019: Thigh injury ruled him out of several matches for PSG
- 2022: Forced off due to injury during 2022 Champions League final as PSG lost to Real Madrid
These injuries have robbed him of substantial playing time over the years.
Di Maria’s International Career with Argentina
Angel Di Maria has made over 100 appearances for the Argentinian national team and remains a key player even now.
He was part of the Argentinian squad that finished Runners-up in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Di Maria scored the winner in extra time against Switzerland to send them through to the quarter-finals. However, he missed the final due to injury.
In the 2021 Copa America final, Di Maria scored the winner to lead Argentina to a major title after 28 years.
He represented Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he assisted goals before Argentina went on to win the trophy. Di Maria finally won the FIFA World Cup medal that had eluded him for so long.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Angel Di Maria has enjoyed an illustrious career spanning 17 years. After emerging from humble beginnings in Rosario, he has become Argentina’s modern football icon with over 100 caps for the national team.
His electrifying pace, technical quality and work rate have made him an important player for European giants like Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Over time, he has won trophies in multiple countries and now has a Champions League medal along with World Cup and Copa America titles for Argentina.
While entering the final phase of his playing career, Di Maria remains highly motivated to win more laurels at club level with Juventus. Having endured heartbreak in the past World Cup and Copa America campaigns, he fulfilled his long-term dream in 2022. Lifting these prestigious international trophies have cemented his lasting legacy in Argentinian football folklore.
Off the field, Di Maria has maintained a relatively controversy-free profile. Family continues to remain his focal point, keeping him humble despite the fame and success. At 35, he has potentially 1-2 more active playing years left. But Angel Di Maria has already accomplished more than most players can dream of in their careers spanning over a decade and a half long
Frequently Asked Questions About Angel Di Maria
Di Maria is most often deployed as a winger on either flank or as an attacking midfielder through the center behind the forwards. Under manager Lionel Scaloni, he has also operated in a deeper midfield role for Argentina.
How many Champions League titles has Angel Di Maria won?
Di Maria has won the UEFA Champions League title once in his career. He was part of the Real Madrid squad that won the 2013-14 Champions League title defeating city rivals Atletico Madrid in the final.
What number does Angel Di Maria wear for Argentina?
Having worn the number 7 jersey in his early Argentina career, Di Maria currently wears the number 11 shirt when representing his country at international tournaments. The number 11 holds a special nostalgic value for Argentinians having being worn by legends like Juan Sebastian Veron and Gabriel Batistuta.
What transfer fee did PSG pay to sign Angel Di Maria?
Paris Saint-Germain signed Di Maria from Manchester United in 2015 for a reported fee of €63 million (£44.3 million at the time). This makes him one of their most expensive signings of all time.
Has Angel Di Maria ever got a red card in his career?
Yes, Di Maria has been sent off with straight red cards twice in his club career. He received red cards while playing for Real Madrid in 2012 and Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.
At international level, he has managed to avoid any red cards so far for Argentina.