Ángel Di Maria dismissed retirement from football: "I am very happy here"

Ángel Di María was emphatic when referring to his future and cleared up any speculation about a possible retirement. In a press conference held in Rosario, the Rosario Central forward assured that he is going through a moment of happiness and does not plan to end his career.

"Everyone is saying they want me to retire, not at this moment, the truth is I am very happy, I am very content. The conference was to chat a bit with everyone because I talk little with those from Rosario since I usually speak on the field, I always say it and I wanted to have a conference here with all of you, I don't want to retire, I am not going to retire, I am happy", he expressed.

The footballer also highlighted his return to Argentine football and emphasized the competitiveness of the championship. "I am enjoying Argentine football, I came back to Argentine football to be happy in a competitive league. You all said it last semester that you wanted me to go to the World Cup, so that means the league is competitive. I am very happy here and nothing, I want to keep enjoying", he stated.

Di María's calmness about Rosario Central

Fideo also referred to the rumors that generated concern among fans after he announced the conference and mentioned that he received numerous calls asking about his future. "Yes, terrible, the truth is terrible, but nothing, I feel that the people are very nervous about this whole issue", he pointed out.

In that sense, he highlighted the growth that Rosario Central has had in recent years. "I think we are going through a great moment at Central, I believe that the club has been growing more and more for four years, playing all competitions, winning titles and it seems quite the opposite, I think that on this side of the sidewalk we are doing very well", he stated.

Additionally, he emphasized the support from the fans: "The reality today is that Central is growing more every day, it looks huge, you can see it everywhere, wherever we go, we take over, so nothing, I believe that things are more than fine".

"Only one wins," the message for the fans

In light of the criticism and boos that appear in some matches, Di María asked for perspective and reminded that it is not always possible to achieve the expected results. "Only one wins, that is the reality of football, only one wins", he affirmed. He added: "Unfortunately, the hope that the people had with the Libertadores was the same as we had, the same hope with the Copa Argentina, the same that we had. But only one wins and sometimes you have a bad game and things don't go well, you end up out, I think football is like that".

The Rosario native also emphasized the difficulties of the local tournament: "We are going through a very good moment and I say it this way because you see what Argentine football is, anyone can beat anyone, it is 100% competitive, it is not easy to win, it is not easy to have 3, 4 consecutive matches with victories".

Di María assured that he understands the demands of the fans, although he reminded that Central still has objectives ahead. "Nothing, we have in our heads that we still have the tournament, that we still have the annual, that we are 6 points away, that we are also within the top 8", he explained. And he was emphatic about his personal ambition: "I am the first one who wants to win, who doesn't like to lose at all, who came back because I want to keep being a champion, I want to keep winning things".

The International Supercup, another objective

Di María also talked about the challenges that Central has ahead and focused on the International Supercup, although he asked to think first about the immediate commitments. "Well, yes we have the Supercup, we have the championship, but as I always say, match by match. Now we have our heads on Tigre and so on", he explained.

Regarding the final that the team will have ahead, he added: "I think the final will come. We know it is already set, that the date is there, that everything is there, so nothing, think about each match. And hopefully that final will be a new title for this club, we will try to do our best as we always do".

His gesture with the shirt seller

Another highlight of the conference was when Di María shared how he helped a Central shirt seller who had his merchandise stolen. "I got up, saw everything that had happened and my wife was the one who told me, it would be nice to take a shirt", he recounted.

He then explained that his wife took care of bringing clothing to the man: "Obviously I can't go myself to deliver the shirt, it's much more complicated, but nothing, she took the shirts for the kid, for the dad".

Di María also celebrated the outcome of the situation: "After all the help he received, we learned that he was able to pay off his house, to have more shirts to sell, the club also brought him a lot of clothes. And nothing, I think all of that ended up being something, after everything they went through and the ugly moment they lived, it ended up being very nice".

The physical discomfort he still carries

The forward also referred to his physical condition and acknowledged that he continues to deal with the pubalgia that has been affecting him. "It’s still there, it still bothers me, but nothing, I’m managing it, I’m feeling better every day", he shared. He added: "It’s day by day, work by work.”

On how he copes with the pain, he explained: "Sometimes there are days when I feel very good, there are days when I wake up and I’m in a lot of pain, but nothing, I’m managing it, the coaching staff knows, they support me in that sense too".

"That’s the beauty of Argentine football"

Di María also appreciated the reception he received since his return to Argentine football, although he emphasized that once the match starts, admiration is set aside. "I think that’s the beauty of Argentine football, that you have that, at the beginning it was just warming up, receiving applause, gratitude, plaques, and when the match starts, everything ends. I’m the bad guy, just like all my teammates", he expressed with laughter.

The world champion admitted that he did not imagine living such an experience upon his return: "Honestly, I didn’t think it would be like this, I didn’t think I would live everything I am living, what I experience day by day, what I live in Rosario". In that sense, he emphasized that his goal has always been to return to enjoy a quieter life: "In the end, I came back for that, I came back to be happy in that way".

A return meant to enjoy

Finally, Di María made it clear again that his return to Central is linked to a personal desire he had for a long time. "The truth is that the dream is not only of the people but it is mine. My dream of wanting to return, of wanting to play in Argentine football, I wanted to enjoy as I said before every stadium, to be able to enjoy every match", he affirmed.

He also assured that he wants to take advantage of every opportunity to play: "I came back for that, to play every match. I want to enjoy every match, every minute. It’s what makes me happy".

Regarding his present and what’s to come, he closed with a message of unity: "I am very happy here, I am very content, I have already said it. And nothing, the only thing I want is for the people to stay with us, we will try to achieve what remains of the championship, the final, achieve everything that can be achieved, I am the first who wants to do it, I came back for that and nothing, I also want to thank everyone for being here today and hopefully we all continue together".