ANGEL DI MARIA received an incredible welcome after re-signing for Benfica 13 years after leaving for Real Madrid.
The Argentine, 35, quit Juventus after just 12 months in Serie A last month.
EPAAngel Di Maria has returned to Benfica 13 years after his departure for Real Madrid[/caption]
AFPThousands of fans gathered to welcome him back outside of the club’s stadium[/caption]
AFPAnd a host of huge red flares were let off as he made his way out to greet them[/caption]
Di Maria moved to Juve last summer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain following seven years in the French capital.
Now the 2022 World Cup winner is back at the club where it all began for him in Europe on a reported one-year deal.
Benfica announced his arrival with a video that declared: “Welcome home, Di Maria.”
And supporters of the Portuguese club were out in force to greet the returning hero as thousands gathered outside of the club’s Estadio da Luz for his official unveiling.
Benfica shared footage of Di Maria signing his contract in front of his new No.24 shirt alongside club president Rui Costa.
He then made his way out to a balcony high up in front of his adoring public as he waved to the masses.
The crowd erupted at the sight of the South American with red flares soon filling the air with smoke before he spoke to them to send them even more wild, cheering his every sentence.
Benfica won the Primeira Liga title for the first time since 2019 last term and reached the Champions League quarter-finals.
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Di Maria originally signed for them from Rosario Central in 2007 aged 19.
He went on to play 121 times for the Eagles, helping them to a league title and two domestic cup triumphs before signing for Real Madrid in 2010.
The versatile ace went on to win multiple trophies in the Spanish capital, including Real’s historic tenth Champions League crown in 2014.
From there he joined Manchester United but he would spend just one year at Old Trafford, later complaining about the bad weather and calling Louis van Gaal the “worst coach” he has ever had.
Seven glittering years at PSG followed, prior to his Juventus switch.
He started just 15 Serie A games for Juve during a tumultuous campaign that saw them finish seventh after receiving a ten-point deduction.
Di Maria did produce a memorable moment in the Europa League, however, scoring a sensational curling effort against Nantes.
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