"Like Maradona": Italian Football Legend showers Di María with compliments
One of the biggest players in Italian football history spared no words to compliment the Argentine
Ángel di María is going through one of the best spells in his career. A productive and relevant player at PSG, he's shining with the Argentina National Team and scored the goal that won his nation their second trophy in 12 months, after going 28 years without silverware. Now, as he prepares for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, he's looking for another succesful stint in European club football, and according to Gigi Buffon, his arrival could be massive for Serie A.
Gianluigi Buffon is a legend for Juventus and the Italian National Team
If someone knows what it's like in the Italian league is the former Azzurra goalkeeper; he's the league's all time record appearance maker, with 657 matches played. With Di María close to joining the league, Buffon spared no words to compliment him: "We are talking about an exemplary professional, as well as a very good guy, who never gives up, who fights not only in games, but also in training. And that combative temperament combines some really incredible technical qualities. In Serie A today, he would be like Maradona", Buffon told Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Today Serie A is technically poor and Angel has quality to spare", explained Buffon, who was teammates with the Argentine during his sole season at PSG in 2018-19. "He beats his opponents with ease, he is decisive in front of goal, he gives assists and fulfills several roles. He is a complete footballer".
When questioned about whether Di María could have such an impact at 34 years old, the Italian goalkeeper, who's had a famously long career playing across four decades, dismissed the fact: "I'm 44 years old and I'm still playing, age doesn't matter. The motivations, the passion you put into your work, your determination, those are much more important. If Di Maria decides to go to Juve, it means that he is ready to do so".
"He has been a player forced to remain in the shadow of the big stars despite having the same characteristics and qualities. When he was at PSG there was Neymar, the young Mbappè, Verratti... but Ángel was not inferior to any of them", assesed Gigi. "At Real Madrid, in 2014, when he won the Décima, he played with Benzema, with Cristiano Ronaldo, with Modric, with Kroos. Always taking a role behind them. He can play as a winger, as an attacking midfielder, even as a creator. Whoever takes him, and I really hope he joins Juve, will have done a good deal. We are talking about a champion, and football needs champions".
Buffon and Di María as teammates at PSG
Angel di María does indeed seem set for Juventus; after a long drawn negotiation, La Vecchia Signora has reportedly improved their offer, and with interest from Barcelona waning, it looks like the Argentine will soon be wearing the Bianconeri shirt.
Continue reading: "Like Two Different Sports": Alessandro Del Piero on the Status of Serie A
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