‘Angel in disguise’- Fans react as Angel Di Maria set to return to SL Benfica after 13 years

According to Fabrizio Romano’s reports, Angel Di Maria has officially finalized his move to Benfica, passing up the opportunity to rejoin Lionel Messi. The Argentine winger’s transfer to the Portuguese club was sealed two weeks ago after a verbal agreement was made, and the final documentation has now been finalized.

Di Maria’s deal with Benfica will last through June 2024, bringing him back to the club where he previously had a successful term. Benfica is preparing the player’s official presentation, emphasizing their delight in securing his services. Given the chance of reuniting with former teammate Messi at Inter Miami, the transfer to Benfica comes as a surprise.

Di Maria’s season

The 35-year-old signed a one-year contract with the Turin club last summer, following a seven-year stint with PSG, and had a strong individual season in what was a turbulent year for the club. Di Maria was most notable for his part in Argentina’s World Cup victory midway through the season, scoring the second goal in the team’s 4-2 penalty shootout victory over France.

Di Maria rose to popularity during his three-year stint with Benfica after joining from Argentine club Rosario Central in 2007. He won a league championship and two league cups in Lisbon before returning to the city to win the Champions League in 2014 after joining Real Madrid for a fee of £21 million. Di Maria will join a club coached by Roger Schmidt that had a fantastic season last season. For the first time in four seasons, the Eagles won the Portuguese title and finished first in a challenging Champions League group that contained PSG and Juventus.

While the specifics of the transaction are unknown, it is now obvious that Di Maria has formally committed to Benfica. The winger was linked with a free move to Serie A heavyweights Juventus, but he finally chose to join Benfica. Benfica will be aiming for a big impact from the Argentine winger as they contend for domestic and European titles. Di Maria’s return to Benfica will no doubt delight the club’s supporters, who remember him fondly from his previous tenure at the Estadio da Luz.

Here’s how fans reacted

https://twitter.com/Sv5fan/status/1676520105159655424?s=20

https://twitter.com/Trossardinho1/status/1676519915342143489?s=20

I agree ❤️

— AtanasKitanov (@KitanovAtanas) July 5, 2023

Surprised he’s not gone Saudi or they not put a bid in ngl

— Cleopatra (@Cleoyourlatina) July 5, 2023

https://twitter.com/thatsmediva/status/1676522161471643648?s=20

damn what a signing

— Simon (@EFJFNM) July 5, 2023

https://twitter.com/MCFC_BRANDO/status/1676520009617530880

Benfica got their boy back

— Moi (@CFCMoi5) July 5, 2023