Angel Di Maria played the friendly match against Costa Rica today with the threat of killing family members in mind. He also scored the equalizer in Argentina’s 3-1 victory. At the end of the match, Argentina midfielder Rodrigo Di Paul spoke about Di Maria’s threats.

The Reuters news agency quoted local media in Argentina as saying yesterday that unknown assailants had threatened to kill members of Di Maria’s family if she returned to Rosario. Di Maria, who plays for Portuguese club Benfica, said last week that he wants to end his career playing for his boyhood club Rosario Central. After that announcement, the miscreants threatened to kill Di Maria. Rosario is the hometown of Messi and Di Maria. The northern Argentine city also has a reputation for drug-related violence.

In the press conference after the match against Costa Rica, Di Paul said, ‘We were together in the morning; Because I had to get up early. Of course, I will not tell the personal things that have happened between us. But seeing her (Di Maria) was very emotional and tearful.’

In the 2022 World Cup, Messi-Di Paul-Di Maria fought shoulder to shoulder and won Argentina the title. And Di Maria has been serving the national team for 16 years, along the way he has established himself as one of the stars of the national team.

When such a player receives a threat from the country to return to his country, then it feels sad! Di Paul also suffered because his teammates were in such a situation. At the press conference, he said, ‘If anyone has the right not to be hindered in wanting to return to his country, Di Maria has it. It is very sad that these things happen in our country.

De Paul is not dismissing the incident lightly, ‘I know what happened and it seems serious to me. But the love he (Di Maria) has for his country, his city and his club will not change.

Di Maria’s home is in a gated community in the city of Rosario, Santa Fe Province, Argentina. Di Maria stayed there when she returned home.