Angel Di Maria writes an emotional letter to Real Madrid fans

Di Maria with Ed Woodward

Argentine winger Angel di Maria penned an emotional letter to the Real Madrid fans before his £59.7 million move to Manchester United explaining why he had to leave the club despite not looking an exit.

Spanish paper Marca published an open letter where the 26-year-old reveals that he did not want to leave the club.

He signed for the club from Benfica in 2010 for €25 million plus add-ons and his four seasons was a mixed bags of brilliant performances and inconsistency.

The translation of the letter in English is given below:

Dear Madridismo

My time at Real Madrid has come to an end. It is impossible to capture all that has happened in my life in the last four years, but through this open letter I want to express my feelings at this moment of goodbye. In these four years I've had the honour of wearing this white shirt and I feel nothing but pride for all that I've been through and achieved with my teammates.

Unfortunately today I have to go, but I want to make it clear that I never wished to leave. As anyone who works, always wanted to progress. After winning La Decima, I went to the World Cup expecting to receive a gesture from the directors, which never came. Many things were said and many lies were spoken. They always wanted to attribute the reason for leaving on me, but that was never the case. Unfortunately, I am not a footballer like another person. The only thing I asked for is for something fair. There are many things I value and salary is not one of them. I hope to get them at Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world and I wish to make history.

I've been lucky enough to share the locker room with fantastic players, who have been even better teammates. I think that was the key to La Decima. I wish to apologise for the times I was wrong, on or off the pitch. It was never my intention to hurt anyone. I sweat and gave it all for this shirt in each game, as if it were my last. There were times when things went in my favour and sometimes not, but what I can say is that I always gave it my all.

I want to thank Spain for everything that it gave me and especially because my daughter was born there. And especially the people at Monteprincipe hospital, who I will always carry in my heart. My wife, my daughter and I will forever be grateful. Also to my teammates who always gave me their support, in good times and bad, the various managerial staff with whom I worked and also the people with whom I worked on a daily basis, with whom I maintain great relationship.

I wish Real Madrid have a great season and achieve what this club always aspires for. I will always have the memory the moment I played at the Bernabeu in the Supercopa and received the immense affection of the fans. Thank you very much. I still have goosebumps. Would not have asked for a better farewell for which was unfortunately my last game.

Hala Madrid! And until forever!

Angel Di Maria

The former Benfica winger landed some parting shots, presumably at Real president Florentino Perez who bought Colombian star James Rodriguez despite already having an array of attacking talent in the team.

One may recall that The La Decima winners had sold German playmaker Mesut Ozil after the arrival of world record signing Gareth Bale last season.

More: “I’m impressed by the vision & determination everyone has to get this club back to the top.” #WelcomeDiMaria pic.twitter.com/qkr321OFVY

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 26, 2014

The man of the match in last year’s Champions League final also clocked the highest number of assists for the side.

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