Of course, it had to be a high-gloss presentation clip here too: Picturesque shots of the new home town and a detailed view of the new jersey. The South American lovingly puts the new piece of fabric on and caresses it with his hand. “I always played for big teams” – “I always played for big teams”. A look at Angel Di Maria’s résumé, which took him through Lisbon, Madrid, Paris, Manchester and Turin, confirms the Argentine.
Alone: the statement does not come from him. But by Roberto Firmino. At the beginning of July, he moved from Liverpool FC to the Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli on a free transfer. Whether that quote makes so much sense given his career after leaving his Brazilian hometown club Figueirense FC is at least questionable with a smile. The 31-year-old only had one stop in Europe alongside Liverpool: Hoffenheim.
A manifesto of football romance
Nonetheless, Firmino is now one of a group of players whose transfer many fans frown upon. Another player who has answered the call for money from Saudi Arabia this summer. In contrast, the change from Angel Di Maria seems almost like a manifesto of football romance. The World Champion didn’t opt for the petrodollars but is returning to where he began to call Europe home. You almost have to be grateful.
Other times: Angel Di Maria already played for Benfica from 2007 to 2010. And met Hertha BSC and Josip Simunic there in the Uefa Cup 2008.
imago images
When Di Maria lifted the golden World Cup trophy with his team-mates last winter, a journey came to an end for him: the long road of the title-winning player, who has won cups and championships at club level in every country and yet always stood in the shadow of Lionel Messi . Angel Di Maria has been showing what he’s capable of since arriving in Lisbon in July 2007. 678 games across Europe, 156 goals, 251 assists. These are the simple figures that Di Maria provided for the biggest clubs in Europe over the next few years.
“I chose Benfica with my heart”
Angel Di Maria – to the Benfica fans at his presentation
16 years later, there is no need for an advertising trailer-esque video that presents the prodigal son in the Lisbon jersey again. The association followed the announcement of the transfer digitally almost soberly. ”Di Maria é vermelho e branco!” – ”Di Maria is red and white!” Is the comment on three pictures that Benfica Lisbon published via Instagram. And before Di Maria himself posted another post on social media, where he just showed himself with a heart gesture in the Benfica jersey, other images and scenes should accompany the transfer. Namely the real ones that the club, fans and media wanted.
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They delivered exactly what the European and possibly South American football romantics want: a touched Angel Di Maria, welcomed by thousands of fans in front of the Estadio da Luz. You don’t have to be a Benfica fan to love this kitsch. Di Maria standing next to tearful club legend Rui Costa, now club president, with a scarf held aloft, singing the Benfica anthem with the fans. As he says in loud sentences that reach deep in the hearts of the fans: “I chose Benfica with my heart”. Or: “The feeling I get when I come home is unprecedented”. Words that go down like Vinho Verde. Especially as a Benfica fan who can be happy to have another real old star, a world champion, in his own ranks.
Am Lagerfeuer with Angel Di Maria
But the marketing strategy works here too: Angel Di Maria’s transfer delivers stories. He has already written one: the sentimental celebrations with the fans. More stories could be added. Maybe that Julian Draxler once again gets a world-class teammate at his side. Plus someone he already had in his team between Raul, Neymar, Lionel Messi and Michel Bastos during PSG times. Maybe Di Maria will go for that one mega dribble and make the unfortunate opposing defenders look stupid. The main thing is that the fans can see it and enjoy it. Soccer romantics need campfire moments, “remember back then” conversations.
The Argentine’s step can be seen exactly as such. Especially at a time when one mega transfer after another is being processed, numerous players are helping Saudi Arabia with sports washing or Lionel Messi is saying goodbye to the USA. Di Maria’s contract currently only runs for one year. The then 36-year-old could still go to Saudi Arabia or wherever. But football fans should be allowed to let themselves be dazzled for brief moments. About the fact that one of the best players of our time once again laces his shoes for a club to which he owes a lot and thus gives them a little bit of romance – even if it is perhaps superficial and in the end mendacious. Fans in Saudi Arabia may see Roberto Firmino in a similar way.
2023-07-14 14:48:06
#romantically #dazzled
