Death Threats Force Angel Di Maria To Abandon Rosario’s Dream Return

Argentinian forward, Angel Di Maria said death threats against his family in Rosario had forced him to change his mind about returning to his boyhood club Rosario Central.

Di Maria was targeted in what Argentine authorities have characterized as a bid by criminal organizations in Rosario to assert their power, amidst a rise in drug-related violence and gang activities in the region.

The winger, who announced his retirement from international football after securing his second Copa America title earlier this month, expressed that he wished to conclude his club career in his hometown following his departure from the Portuguese club, Benfica.

In March, reports emerged indicating that a death threat note had been thrown onto Di Maria’s family property. Di Maria revealed that his family did not report another threat to the police due to their fear.

“There was a threat at my sister’s business, a box with a pig’s head and a bullet in the forehead, and a note that said that if I returned to (Rosario) Central, the next head was that of my daughter Pia,” Di Maria told a television station in Rosario on Tuesday.

“Those months were horrible,” he said, adding that “we could only sit there and cry each night over not being able to carry out that dream” of returning to the club where he made his professional debut. Despite the threats, Di María said he received criticism from Rosario fans for not returning home.

“Those who don’t understand, they don’t put themselves in my place for one second,” Di María said. “Because it’s easy to mistreat others on social media without putting yourself in somebody else’s shoes.”

Argentina captain, Lionel Messi was also a target of threats last year. Argentina’s federal security forces were deployed to Rosario in March. Governor Maximiliano Pullaro said earlier this month that protocols were implemented to ensure the safety of public figures.

“It is disrespectful to talk about security and protocols for me when people from Rosario cannot go out to work, cannot wait for the bus without being robbed or killed for a backpack,” Di Maria added.

Di María’s remarks hinted at a potential return to Benfica, with officials from the Portuguese club suggesting that the forward had reached an agreement to sign a new contract for the upcoming season.