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Former Real Madrid attacker Angel Di Maria has shed light on how current boss Carlo Ancelotti 'invented' a position for him as he won the UEFA Champions League with Los Blancos.
Di Maria was at the Santiago Bernabeu from 2010 to 2014, contributing 36 goals and 85 assists in 190 games across competitions before moving to Manchester United.
Ahead of his last game in international football for Argentina - the 2024 Copa America final with Colombia in Miami on Sunday (July 14) - the 36-year-old winger fondly reminsced his Bernabeu stint, especially under Ancelotti. He said (as per L'Equipe via Madrid Xtra):
"When I arrived at Real Madrid, there were incredible stars, and I ended up playing, even when there was Benzema, Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo. ... I made my place in the middle alongside Modric and Xabi Alonso."
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He continued:
"I loved working with Mourinho at Real Madrid. When Ancelotti arrived, I had never playerd in a three-man midfield, and he invented a position for me in his team, even though there were great players in the squad. And I ended up winning the Champions League playing in that position."
After his failed stint at Old Trafford, Di Maria enjoyed success at PSG and also with his national team, winning three titles, including the 2021 Copa America in Brazil and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
How did Angel Di Maria fare in Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League-winning campaign in 2014?
Angel Di Maria played a key role as Real Madrid won their much-awaited La Decima in the 2013-14 season, their first UEFA Champions League triumph in 12 years.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner contributed three goals and six assists in 11 games. All three goals and five of the assists came in the group stage, where Ancelotti's side topped the group, winning five games and drawing the other.
Di Maria then provided an assist as Los Blancos beat Atletico Madrid 4-1 in extra time in Lisbon, setting up Gareth Bale to put the team 2-1 ahead, before Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed the win.
