Angel Di Maria claims Real Madrid blocked him from playing in WC-2014 final against Germany.
Former Real Madrid star was injured in quarterfinals against Belgium, but was supposed to play against Germany through pain. However, Real Madrid were preparing to sell him in order to buy James Rodriguez, and they didn’t want to risk their asset before starting negotiations with other clubs.
Argentina's midfielder Angel Di Maria (bottom C) is given aid after an injury during a quarter-final football match between Argentina and Belgium at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium in Brasilia during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on July 5, 2014. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON
Speaking with Players Tribute, Di Maria revealed: “It was the morning of the 2014 World Cup Final, at exactly 11 a.m., and I was sitting on the trainer’s table about to get an injection in my leg. I had torn my thigh muscle in the quarterfinals, but with painkillers, I could run without feeling anything. I told our trainers these exact words: “If I break, then let me keep breaking. I don’t care. I just want to be able to play.”
So I was putting ice on my leg when our team doctor, Daniel Martínez, came into the room holding this envelope, and he said, “Look, Ángel, this paper came from Real Madrid.”
I said, “What are you talking about?”
He said, “Well, they’re saying you’re not in any condition to play. So they are forcing us to not let you play today.”
I immediately knew what was happening. Everybody had heard the rumors that Real wanted to sign James Rodríguez after the World Cup, and I knew that they were going to sell me to make room for him. So they didn’t want their asset to be damaged. It was that simple. That’s the business of football that people do not always see.”
Read full interview
here.
