Di María's Breakthrough for Benfica
Updated:2025-10-17 08:12 Views:152Title: Di Maria's Breakthrough at Benfica
In the summer of 2014, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) midfielder Angel Di Maria was on the verge of leaving the club. The Argentine had been with PSG since 2011 but struggled to find his place in the team and was eventually shipped out on loan to Benfica.
At Benfica, Di Maria found himself in a different league altogether. He scored 9 goals and provided 5 assists in 38 appearances for the Portuguese club. His performances caught the eye of many scouts and he eventually signed a permanent deal with the club in June 2015.
Di Maria's breakthrough at Benfica came in the form of a stunning performance against rivals Sporting CP in January 2016. In that match, Di Maria scored two goals and set up another,Primeira Liga Hotspots leading Benfica to a 5-1 victory over their arch-rivals.
The performance earned Di Maria widespread acclaim both in Portugal and internationally. He was named the top scorer in Portugal's Primeira Liga for the season and was also shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or award.
Di Maria's breakout year at Benfica was not just about scoring goals though. He also played a key role in helping Benfica win the Portuguese Cup and reach the Europa League semi-finals. His performances were so impressive that he attracted interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs including Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Despite the interest from these clubs, Di Maria decided to stay at Benfica and continue to develop under the guidance of manager Jorge Jesus. Under Jesus, Di Maria continued to impress and by the end of the 2017-18 season, he had established himself as one of the most promising young players in Europe.
His performances for Benfica have only gotten better since then. He has become a key player for the club and is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world. Di Maria's journey from being a loanee at Benfica to becoming a regular starter for the club is a testament to his talent and determination.
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