June 07, (THEWILL) – Argentina winger, Angel Di Maria, has officially departed Juventus after completing just one season with the club, thus entering the realm of free agency amidst swirling speculation of a potential move to a Saudi Arabian club.
The 35-year-old, who claimed victory in the World Cup, arrived in Turin following a fruitful seven-year tenure at Paris Saint-Germain, during which he netted a commendable eight goals in 40 appearances for Juve, unfortunately failing to secure any silverware throughout the campaign.
In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram, Di Maria expressed his sentiments upon leaving the Italian club: “I depart with a sense of tranquility, knowing that I gave my all to contribute towards the club’s pursuit of titles, even though we fell short of that objective.” The winger candidly acknowledged his disappointment: “It saddens me that we were unable to achieve that feat, but I am also filled with joy as I depart with cherished friendships from an extraordinary dressing room that I had the privilege of being a part of.”
Reports monitored by THEWILL claim that Saudi Arabia has compiled a comprehensive list featuring over 10 esteemed footballers who have triumphed in either the UEFA Champions League or the World Cup. This select roster includes Di Maria, alongside renowned figures such as Luka Modric, Hugo Lloris, and N’Golo Kante. As these players approach the twilight years of their careers, Saudi clubs are actively seeking to entice them to their league, aiming to strengthen their ranks with their expertise and experience.
Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr from Manchester United after the previous World Cup, his former Real Madrid comrade Karim Benzema has joined him in the Gulf nation, signing with Al-Ittihad on Tuesday, as THEWILL reported. This trend signifies the growing allure of Saudi Arabian football, which is attracting global stars who have etched their names in the annals of football history.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
