Why is Di Maria not playing in the World Cup? A number of people have questioned the 2022 Tottenham summer target’s whereabouts in Qatar.
Since Argentina progressed from Group C with a 2-0 win over Poland, Angel Di Maria has barely featured under Lionel Scaloni.
So, why has the 34-year-old not been playing much football in Qatar? Let’s take a look…
Why is Di Maria not playing in the World Cup?
Well, the South American – who currently plays his football for Juventus – suffered a muscle overload in his left foot before Argentina’s 2-1 win over Australia in the Round of 16.
Di Maria was substituted in the 59th minute of the 2-0 win over Poland due to the injury.
Speaking about the South American’s fitness in a press conference, Scaloni said: “Di Maria had discomfort. After training we will decide on the team depending on the fitness of Angel and other players. If he’s okay, he will play.”
The Juventus No.22 came into the tournament having only just recovered from a hamstring injury, so he was surely not in the best of shape going into the opening game against Saudi Arabia, which Argentina lost 2-1.
Di Maria played the full 90 minutes of that defeat, before Scaloni handed him 69 minutes of action in the 2-0 win over Mexico, and 59 minutes against Poland before injury struck.
Angel Di Maria profile
Full name: Angel Fabian Di Maria
Age: 34
Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Nationality: Argentina
Date of birth: 14th February 1988
Place of birth: Rosario
Club: Juventus
Position: Winger
Salary: £128,000-a-week
Why did Di Maria leave Real Madrid?
Di Maria left Real Madrid in August 2014 after Manchester United agreed a £59.7m deal to sign him – a British record at the time.
The Argentina had just guided Real Madrid to their tenth Champions League success, although it was also partly down to his wage demands, with Marca quoting Florentino Perez as saying: “He had very high economic demands that Madrid couldn’t satisfy.”
Is this Di Maria’s last World Cup?
The Argentina international has already confirmed that he will retire from international duty after the World Cup.
Therefore, Di Maria could bow out in special fashion with a first ever World Cup to his name, which he deserves after amassing a remarkable 128 caps for his country.
Tottenham missed out on Di Maria
According to Calciomercato in Italy, Tottenham wanted to sign Di Maria when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired back in the summer.
However, the Argentine eventually signed a one-year contract with Juventus, where he has made ten appearances in all competitions so far this season, scoring one goal while providing four assists.
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