Angel Di Maria - Players to star in South Africa –

Written by James Beckett Thursday, 27 May 2010 10:33

England World Cup Blog

Assessing Argentina's prospects this summer looks to be a difficult task, as they are one of the most unpredictable nations that will travel to South Africa. However there is no doubting that they have several players of immense quality, and of these players is young winger Angel Di Maria.

The 22 year old is one of the hottest prospects in World football, and Benfica will do well to keep hold of their wonderkid, with reported interest from Real Madrid, Manchester United and a host of other top European clubs.

Di Maria started his career in his native Argentina, with Rosario Central, but several sparkling displays at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, had European clubs calling, and Di Maria turned his back on an agreement to sign for Russian side Rubin Kazan in favour of signing for Benfica.

Rubin have certinaly missed out, as the exciting winger soon began to take Portuguese football by storm, with several impressive displays during his first few months at the Estádio da Luz. Di Maria quickly earned a reputation as quick and skilful winger. While he is hardly prolific in front of goal, he has all the qualities of a flying winger, and you feel that it is only a matter of time before Di Maria finds his goal scoring boots.

Di Maria was called up for the Argentine Olympic squad in 2008 and his sublime chip proved to the decisive goal as Argentina beat Nigeria 1-0, to win their second straight Olympic title. From then on Di Maria regularly featured in the full Argentina squad, earning 8 caps to date.

What may count against Di Maria is Diego Maradona, who will often chops and changes his side. But if Di Maria can get the opportunity in South Africa, you should expect to see another exciting Argentine winger.

It is rumoured that Benfica will demand around £35million pounds, should a team try and tempt Di Maria away from them, but if Di Maria performs to his potential this summer, the price will only increase, and you feel that Di Maria will be out to impress to earn the move to a European super-club.

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