'Real Madrid asked me not to play in the World Cup final so I tore up the letter' - Di Maria

Angel Di Maria has taken a spectacular swipe at former club Real Madrid, claiming the European champions did not want him to feature for Argentina in this summer's World Cup final.
The former Benfica winger completed a €75 million move to Manchester United in August after helping his national team to the final of the showpiece in Brazil, where they were beaten by Germany.
Di Maria inspired Madrid to the Champions League and Copa del Rey last term but found himself surplus to requirements after the signings of Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, and he has now revealed his frustrations with the club began in the summer, when they requested him not to risk aggravating an injury sustained during the finals.
"I got a letter from Madrid that arrived at 11:00 on the day of the [World Cup final] asking me not to play," he explained to America & Closs.
"We were playing at 16:00 and I was preparing myself to be in the best condition, knowing that I could have got injured. As soon as I go that letter, I ripped it up. I did not care, no matter what.
"I talked with coach Alejandro Sabella and it was his decision. I didn't want to pressure him. I knew I could have to come off after 15 minutes and left the team in trouble, I didn't want that."
Madrid president Florentino Perez and coach Carlo Ancelotti have both indicated that Di Maria requested to leave the club this summer, but the player himself has refuted the claims and says he has never had a professional relationship with Perez.
"I saw what he said. To be able to earn what Cristiano earns I would have had to have been the best player at the World Cup or won the Ballon d'Or," he continued.

"It looks like Perez gave that offer to another person. I don't have a clue who he offered that to. I don't have a working relationship with him. When I signed a new deal he wasn't there either.

"I never said I wanted to leave Real Madrid, I never wanted that, but you have to move on when they don't want you. Let them say what they want about me, the millions they received for selling me will help the Real Madrid economy a lot."
Cristiano Ronaldo has been vocal in his support of Di Maria in the wake of his Bernabeu exit and the 26-year-old believes the Portuguese star may also move on in the coming years after he expressed a wish to return to Old Trafford one day.
"Cristiano was always on my side," he continued. "He fought for me to stay. I don't know how long he will stay at Madrid."
Di Maria is looking forward to the challenge at hand at Manchester United, however, saying he wants to restore the club to their former glories.
"I was having a good time in Spain, so the change will have its toll. I have to adapt to my new team-mates, but I hope it will be as quick as possible.
"I want to score goals and get United back to where they should be. I'm very happy to be in Manchester."

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Hero Indian Super League to kick off at historic Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata

Atletico de Kolkata will take on Mumbai City FC in the opening game of the Hero Indian Super League’s first season at the historic Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Sunday, 12th October 2014.
IMG-Reliance and Star India – the promoters of the League, today announced the fixtures for the much-anticipated inaugural edition, featuring eight clubs, 61 games spread across 70 days. The League stage will witness 56 games on home and away format, followed by a two-legged semi-finals and the final scheduled for 20th December 2014.
All games will be played at 7:00 pm (IST), including the semi-finals and finals. On days of double headers, ie 9th and 10th December 2014, the first game will start at 5:00 pm (IST) followed by 7:00 pm (IST) game.
Delhi Dynamos FC will host the League’s second game when they play FC Pune City on 13th October 2014. The action will move to Guwahati on 15th October 2014 for the home match of NorthEast United FC against Kerala Blasters FC and then to Goa next day for FC Goa’s game against Club Chennai.
The maximum city Mumbai will see the first Hero ISL action on 17th October 2014 when Mumbai City FC will take on FC Pune City at DY Patil Stadium, New Mumbai. Club Chennai, FC Pune City and Kerala Blasters FC will host their first home matches on 19th October, 22nd October and 27th October 2014, respectively.
The semi-finals will start from 13th December 2014 with top four clubs qualifying for the knock-out stage to be played in a two-legged format with the winners moving onto the final. The Hero Indian Super League final would be played at a neutral venue on Saturday, December 20, 2014.

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Highlights: Argentina beat Germany 4-2, Angel Di Maria involved in all four goals

Argentina beat Germany 4-2 in a friendly match in what was a repeat of the 2014 World Cup final at the Esprit Arena in Dusseldorf on Wednesday night.
Manchester United’s new record signing Angel Di Maria was the star for the Albiceleste, playing a part in all four goals, scoring one and setting up three.
The first goal came from a superb lob from Di Maria into the six-yard box and Sergio Aguero only had to tap it in to make it 1-0.
Erik Lamela then doubled their advantage with a sublime left-footed volley into the top corner after Di Maria crossed it from inside the box. 
Federico Fernandez then headed home their third after Di Maria sent in a free kick to the far post. Fernandez rose above the rest to power his header into the back of the net. 
Di Maria finally got his reward for a fantastic performance when he was released down the right flank, entered the box and chipped the ch
arging goalkeeper to make it 4-0 to Argentina.
Andre Schurrle scored Germany’s first goal after Argentina failed to clear the ball in a corner kick scramble in the box. They scored their second thanks to an own goal from Fernandez who got in the way of Mario Goetze’s shot and deflected it into the net.
Germany coach Joachim Loew brushed aside talk of Argentina’s chances in the World Cup final if Angel Di Maria was available saying, “We would have beaten Argentina in the final on July 13 even if Di Maria had been playing.
“"He couldn't have beaten us on that day.”
Meanwhile, Argentina’s new manager and ex-Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said, “Di Maria is one of the best four or five players in the world and so his performance didn't surprise me.
“His absence [in the World Cup final] was noticeable.”

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Danny Welbeck not a panic buy for Arsenal

There always has to be an element of panic buy in any deadline-day deal. But Arsene Wenger did manage to get a transfer done that is good for the short and long term for Arsenal. Danny Welbeck is 23, quick and decent value at 16 million pounds. He's also just what Arsenal need, because even when Olivier Giroud comes back, one of them won't be like a spare part.

- Mangan: How did Arsenal do in the window?

That could have been the case had Wenger gone for a more direct replacement for Giroud after the France centre-forward was ruled out until the new year. But now Welbeck offers a different option, as he can play through the middle -- his preferred option -- or wide and even just behind the main man. That is what Arsenal needed even before Giroud got injured because their striking options were limited.
Yaya Sanogo is not good enough yet, in my opinion. Joel Campbell doesn't seem to be getting a chance. Wenger sees Lukas Podolski as a wide player. Alexis Sanchez was bought as a central forward but in reality will take time to adjust and can also play wide, off a big striker or as part of a two-man attack. That means that Arsenal were very short even before Giroud was injured and explained why a forward had been on their list before deadline day.
They had enquired about Loic Remy and he was on their radar even before the final few days. They were reported to have offered Campbell as part of a deal that didn't meet Queens Park Rangers' valuation, while Chelsea met his buy-out clause to conclude the transfer.
After the raw Sanogo, 21, struggled to make an impact as Arsenal drew 1-1 at Leicester on Sunday, pressure mounted on Wenger to sign a new striker on deadline day. The opportunity to land Welbeck only cropped up because Manchester United needed to offload him after getting Radamel Falcao on loan.

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Angel Di Maria letter to Real Madrid

"Dear Madridismo,

My cycle at Real Madrid has come to an end. Is impossible to capture all I have lived through in a few lines, but I want this letter to communicate what I feel at the moment of parting. In these four years I had the honor to wear this shirt I feel nothing but pride for what I went through and achieved along with my team mates.

Unfortunately today I have to go, but I want to make clear that this was never my desire. As anyone who works, I’ve always wanted to progress. After winning “La Decima” I went to the World Cup with the hope of receiving a new contract, which never came. Many things and many lies were spoken. They always wanted to attribute the initiative to me to leave the club, but did not. The only thing I asked for is something that would be fair. There are many things that I value and many of them have nothing to do with my salary. I hope to progress at Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, where I wish to make history.

I’ve been lucky enough to share a dressing room with fantastic players, who have been even better companions. I think that was the key to La Decima. I want to apologize for the times I was wrong, on or off the pitch. It was never my intention to harm anyone. I sweated for this shirt in every game as if it was my last. There were times when things went for me and others not, but what I can say is that I always gave everything.

I want to thank Spain for everything you gave me and especially for allowing my daughter to be born on this earth. And to the very special people at Montepríncipe hospital, which I will always carry in my heart. My wife, daughter and I will be forever grateful. Also to my colleagues who gave me their support always, in good times and bad, to the various technical bodies that I got to work with and also to all the people who work every day at the club, with which I hope to keep a great relationship.

I hope that Real Madrid have a great season and get this club the achievements they are always looking for. I take forever in my memory that time in the Supercopa when I jumped at the Bernabeu and I received from the fans immense affection. Thank you. I have goose bumps yet cannot think of a better farewell for which unfortunately was my last game.

Hala Madrid! And until forever!"

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2735109/Angel-di-Maria-claims-never-wanted-leave-Real-Madrid-farewell-letter-fans-59-7million-Man-United.html#ixzz3CHBUQm9L

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Neymar Jr called up by Brazil

New Brazil boss Dunga has announced his first squad list for the upcoming friendlies against Colombia and Ecuador.  It features a welcome return for Neymar Jr., who curiously enough suffered his injury while playing against Columbia.  The two countries meet again on 5 in Miami and then Brazil go on to play Ecuador in New Jersey on 9.  There was no place on the list for Dani Alves and Adriano.
Bravo, Messi and Mascherano
Meanwhile, Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo will face Mexico and Haiti in friendlies on 6 and 9 respectively.  Argentine internationals, Leo Messi and Javier Mascherano have a tough task in the shape of World Champions Germany in Tata Martino’s first game in charge.  The World Cup rerun takes place in Düsseldorf on 3 September.

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FIFA statement on CAS decision relating to Luis Suarez

FIFA has taken note of the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the case involving the Uruguayan international Luis Suárez, who was sanctioned by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee – a decision which was confirmed by the FIFA Appeal Committee – following an incident that occurred during the FIFA World Cup™ match between Italy and Uruguay played on 24 June 2014.
CAS has partially admitted the appeal lodged by Suárez, FC Barcelona and the Uruguayan Football Association but reaffirmed the majority of the original sanctions imposed by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, deciding that: “The sanctions imposed on the player by FIFA have been generally confirmed. However, the 4-month suspension will apply to official matches only and no longer to other football-related activities (such as training, promotional activities and administrative matters).”
Suárez is suspended for nine (9) consecutive official matches of the national team of Uruguay. The first match of the nine-match suspension was served during the final competition of the 2014 FIFA
World Cup Brazil™, with the remaining match suspensions to be served in Uruguay’s subsequent official matches in accordance with art. 38 par. 2a) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. CAS declared Suárez ineligible to play in official matches at any level for a period of four (4) consecutive months, starting on 25 June 2014. Suárez is also ordered by CAS to pay a fine of CHF 100,000, as was originally imposed by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. The sanction in question will cover official matches only and does not include friendly matches.

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