La Derecha Diario on Di María's return: his statements and the Canalla's expectations

The city of Rosario is experiencing hours of euphoria and excitement with Ángel Di María's return to Rosario Central after 17 years. Although today the official reunion was only with the press, the passion of the Canalla fans overflowed into the streets, turning the wait into a true celebration.

From early on, fans of all ages gathered to show their affection. "Enormous joy," confessed a visibly moved woman. Others, more ambitious, did not hesitate to aim high: "Let's go for the Libertadores, let's give it our all."

Di María's words

Ángel Di María had his official presentation this Monday as a new Rosario Central player. In an emotional press conference, the Rosario native shared his feelings after putting on the Canalla jersey again and after his first training session.

"I'm proud of everything I've done, but this is more: coming home after so long is something very special. Being able to live in Rosario again, wear Central's jersey, and see people happy is everything," Di María said in his first words as a new auriazul signing. "I've been dreaming about this return for quite some time," Fideo added.

Without hesitation, he pointed out what is now his main goal: "I still need to become champion with Central." With determination, he stated: "The dream of coming back was there, I fulfilled it, and the next one is to become champion." He also described how he experienced his first day back at the club: "Putting on the jersey again, being part of Central once more was and is something I dreamed of. Today I was training, I looked to the sides and couldn't believe I was there again. It felt like when I first arrived in the First Division, I felt that adrenaline. It was very beautiful and I enjoyed the first training session to the fullest."

Regarding his return, the forward commented that he had previous conversations with the team's coach, Ariel Holan, and about his goals: "We've been talking with Holan for a month. My dream is to become champion, we'll try to achieve it, Central pushes you to the maximum and we'll try to do our best. Currently, the only focus is the championship and we'll give it our all to achieve it."

He also shared that he received messages of support from several former teammates from the Argentina National Team, including the captain, Lionel Messi. "I spoke with Leo and many of the guys because I have a very nice relationship with all of them and they were happy that I was able to achieve what I wanted. They were always there. Messi wrote to me recently, congratulated me, and told me he was happy that I could fulfill my dream."

About the challenge of returning to the local league, he reflected: "Boca already made me feel what Argentine soccer is. After that, it depends on me, on what happens on the field, on what the coach asks of me. I know it's much tougher, that there's more physical contact, that the game gets interrupted. I always watch Argentine soccer, I know what it's like, how it's played, after that it will depend on me. Everyone will have their own way of receiving me, if they insult me, they insult me, and if they applaud me, they applaud me. Today I'm wearing Central's jersey and I understand it's difficult for those on the other side to cheer for me."

Regarding his physical condition and what's to come, he assured: "I feel good, if I get to play it's Ariel's decision (Holan). Every weekend is crazy here, not only do I say it but also those from Buenos Aires, and that makes the club bigger and bigger. Surely Saturday will be something very beautiful (debut in the Clausura against Godoy Cruz)." He elaborated: "I like to play soccer, I like to be with the ball and enjoy being on a soccer field. Trophies come as a team, I believe that with work and dedication they arrive."

"I'll try to do my best, the things I've learned during my career and contribute what I've done at each club. Every training session and match has taught me something. After that, it will depend on what Holan needs from me and on contributing so the team feels comfortable. Central is doing very well, I'll try to do my best and not mess things up because things were going very well," he added.

Finally, he spoke about retirement, a topic that inevitably comes up at this stage: "My idea is to retire here.  We'll see when. I feel good, at my best. I think I showed it at the Club World Cup and at times I thought it might not happen, but the passion and the desire. My life has been about facing obstacles and moving forward, there were always hurdles, but that's in the past now," concluded an emotional Di María, who returns to Central to dream big.