Former Real Madrid and Manchester United winger Angel Di Maria is hoping for a positive reception on his return to the club where he won ‘La Decima’.
Di Maria spent four years at the Rojiblancos, winning six trophies during his time at the club. Three pieces of silverware came in his final season where he helped achieve ‘La Decima’ – Madrid’s 10th European title.
After an unsuccessful season at Manchester United under Louis Van Gaal, Di Maria moved to Paris St-Germain for a fee of £44.3m in July, and so far the Argentine winger has scored three times in six Ligue 1 appearances.
With PSG tied with Real Madrid at the top of Group A on seven points, the 27-year-old is hoping for a positive reception on his return to the Bernabeu.
“I don’t know how the people there will welcome me but we won the Decima and many other titles together,” he told UEFA’s official website.
“I’ve always enjoyed a warm welcome from the fans here and in my last match against Atletico, the fans gave me a standing ovation when I left to go to Manchester.
“It’s clear that if I score, I won’t celebrate as I still have everything I achieved with that club, and everything I experienced there in my heart.”
PSG manager Laurent Blanc has little doubt that Di Maria will be able to play well for the Ligue 1 champions despite facing his former club.
“Angel will begin the match,” he said. “It will be a special event for him because he spent several seasons here.
“He is a player that has been enjoyed here. He should be ready, focused and have the right attitude to bring us what he can do.
“This would be a nice for him to realise a good performance here.”
Di Maria also spoke about his assist for Gareth Bale’s winner against Atletico Madrid in the 2013/14 Champions League final, describing the moment he lifted his first European title as a special time in his career.
“It was an unforgettable moment,” said the Argentina forward. “It was a dream come true; not only being chosen as the best player in the final, but also the fact we won the Champions League, something every player wants to achieve.
“It was a very, very emotional match – we were close to losing it but in the end we won. It was really crazy what happened. It is a very nice memory which will stay in my mind for the rest of my life.”
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