Top 10 things you need to know about Real Madrid's new Argentine magician Angel Di Maria

By Mirror Football in Football Spy

Published 09:28 28/10/09

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Much has been made of the Argentinian sensation Angel Di Maria, and clearly Jose Mourinho agrees, as Real Madrid have finally sealed the 25 million euro deal that will bring him to the Bernabeu.

But what's all the fuss about? Let MirrorFootball's Chris O'Keefe fill you in...

1) Angel Fabian Di Maria - or Angel De Maria as he is known - was born in Rosario, Argentina on February 14, 1988.

2) Di Maria joined the youth ranks of his local side, Rosario Central, in 2001 - but had to wait another four years before making his senior debut in 2005.

3) At the start of 2007, Di Maria looked set to join current Russian League champions Rubin Kazan. The club even agreed personal terms with the youngster. However, De Maria had a change of heart and turned down the move. To be fair, swapping the sunny climate of Argentina for the Siberian chill doesn't sound too appealing.

4) Di Maria was part of the Argentina side that won the Under-20 World Cup in Canada in 2007. He chipped in with three goals at the tournament, although he was upstaged by his team-mate, one Sergio Aguero, who top scored with six.

5) When Di Maria signed for Benfica in the summer of 2007, the club's president said the Argentine was the perfect replacement for Simao, who had signed for Atletico Madrid. He had only played 35 games for Rosario Central when Benfica made their move.

6) Di Maria was called up to Argentina's squad for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he played alongside Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Liverpool's Javier Mascherano. He scored two goals and made two assists in six matches, including the winner in the final - a sublime chip over the onrushing keeper .

7) Di Maria scored one of his best goals for the Portuguese giants in a League game against Pacos Ferreira. He banged in a stunning volley from 30 yards straight from a throw-in!

8) Di Maria goes by the nickname 'Fideo', which is the Spanish word for 'noodle'.

9) He has his fiery side too. Di Maria was sent off seven minutes after coming on as a substitute for Argentina during their 6-1 hammering away to Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier in April 2009.

10) The Argentinian ace started four of his nation's five World Cup games - only being dropped for the final group game, after they had already qualified for the next round. The national coach, hero and legend that is Diego Maradona described Di Maria as Argentina's next superstar. High praise indeed.

Chelsea transfer target Angel Di Maria will be a worldwide superstar, says Diego Maradona  

If all that's wet your appetite, and left you wanting more, then here's some video footage of the young pretender, soon to be weaving his way through Spanish defences.

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