In July, Ángel Di María made headlines by returning to Argentina after 18 years abroad. The World Cup winner was back in his home country, thrilling fans - especially those of Rosario Central, the club where he got his start. But the first few months of his return have not been without controversy.
Critics blast Di María’s style of play
Recently, Di María has faced criticism for his on-field behavior. Fans and pundits accuse him of exaggerating fouls, bending the rules, and benefiting excessively from referees’ decisions simply because of his star status.
Esteban Bichi Fuertes, a legendary former Argentine forward, weighed in on the debate. “This can happen because it happened in our era too; some players just wanted attention. Referees tend to believe it, but it’s not common. Unfortunately, Di María is being protected too much,” he said.
Fuertes added, “I think it’s the biggest mistake referees can make. It’s fine to respect Di María, who has given us so much and is a World Cup champion, but this also puts him in a bad light. With situations like this, the referees end up exposing themselves. Everything he’s achieved, he earned on his own, but for us soccer lovers, we don’t like seeing this. Then people say he’s being favored.”
Di María provokes fan backlash
Fans have lashed out at Di María on social media, with one X user perfectly summing up their frustration:
“Di María is a great player, no doubt about it, and we have to thank him for everything he’s done in soccer throughout his career. That said, his constant exaggerating and diving to draw fouls is unbearable. I have nothing against him; I’m just speaking as a lover of the game.”
A tumultuous few months
Di María made headlines again in September after an emotional outburst following a draw with Talleres. “Then they say we get help,” he complained. Later in November, another controversy erupted when Estudiantes de la Plata was sanctioned for a back-turned hallway salute to Di María.
A few days earlier, with the Clausura still underway, Rosario Central was surprisingly recognized by the Argentine Football Association as league champions for finishing first in the annual table, an unprecedented decision in Argentinian soccer. The move made international headlines, with Di María, of course, at the center of attention.