Di Maria Career: Clubs, Transfers, and Key Moments

Ángel Di María’s career is a series of bold moves, each one shaping a legacy that few footballers can match. The Argentine winger has played for seven professional clubs, won 38 titles including the 2022 World Cup and the 2014 Champions League, and set a British transfer record along the way.

Clubs played for: 7 (Rosario Central, Benfica, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Rosario Central) ·
Major trophies: 34 (including Copa América 2021, World Cup 2022, Champions League 2014) ·
Career goals (club + country): 190+ as of 2026 ·
Man Utd transfer fee (2014): £59.7 million (then-British record)

The key facts table below distills his professional profile into a single glance.

How many clubs did Di Maria play for?

Ángel Di María has played for seven professional clubs across four countries, plus a return to his original club. His career spans 20 seasons as of 2026.

Club career timeline

Di María started at Rosario Central’s youth academy and made his senior debut in 2005. He moved to Benfica in 2007 for €8 million (FootballTransfers transfer history). After three seasons in Portugal, Real Madrid paid a reported €25 million to sign him in 2010 (Wikipedia). He was sold to Manchester United in August 2014 for a then-British record £59.7 million (Wikipedia). After one season in England, he joined Paris Saint-Germain for €63 million (FootballTransfers). He later moved to Juventus on a free transfer in 2022, returned to Benfica for one season in 2023, and then rejoined Rosario Central in June 2025 (AiScore).

Rosario Central debut

He debuted for Rosario Central’s first team in 2005 at age 17, making 35 appearances and scoring 4 goals before moving to Europe (Wikipedia).

Benfica breakout

At Benfica from 2007 to 2010, Di María developed into a dynamic winger, winning the Liga Portugal and League Cup in 2009/10 (FotMob). He scored 15 goals in 121 appearances for the club.

Real Madrid stardom

Di María spent four seasons at Real Madrid, making 190 official appearances and scoring 36 goals (Real Madrid official history). He was a key figure in winning La Décima – the club’s tenth European Cup – in 2014, and also won La Liga in 2011/12 and two Copa del Rey titles.

Does Di Maria think Ronaldo is better than Messi?

Di Maria’s opinion on Ronaldo

In a 2023 interview, Di María called Cristiano Ronaldo’s ability “otherworldly” but avoided a direct comparison with Lionel Messi, saying both are “once-in-a-generation players” (Sportskeeda (football news outlet)). He praised Ronaldo’s athleticism and finishing, while noting Messi’s natural genius and creativity.

Messi vs Ronaldo debate context

Di María has played with both players — alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid and with Messi on the Argentina national team. His unique perspective gives weight to his remarks, though he has consistently declined to rank one above the other publicly.

Why is Di Maria not playing for Benfica?

Departure from Benfica

In May 2024, Di María announced he would not return to Benfica for the 2024/25 season, citing personal reasons and a desire to finish his career at Rosario Central. The news was confirmed by Reuters (news agency), which reported Di María’s statement to Portuguese media: “I will not continue at Benfica next season.”

Reuters report on season exit

According to the Reuters report, Di María expressed gratitude to Benfica fans but indicated that a return to Argentina was his priority. He had returned to Benfica in 2023 on a free transfer after leaving Juventus, but the reunion lasted only one season (FootballTransfers).

How much did Man Utd sell Di Maria for?

Manchester United transfer details

Manchester United sold Di María to Paris Saint-Germain on 5 August 2015 for about €63 million (£44 million) (FootballTransfers transfer history). This was a significant loss from the £59.7 million record fee United had paid to Real Madrid just one year earlier.

Financial loss due to weak euro

Because the transfer fee was denominated in euros, the weakening of the pound against the euro between the buy and sell dates worsened United’s losses. Reports estimate the total loss reached £22.5 million when currency fluctuations were factored in.

The implication: Manchester United’s record signing failed to settle in England, and the club took a heavy financial hit — one of the biggest single-season losses on a player in Premier League history.

Why did Di Maria leave Real Madrid?

Transfer to Manchester United

Di María left Real Madrid in August 2014 after winning the Champions League. The club agreed to sell him to Manchester United for £59.7 million, a decision driven by a reported contract dispute over wages and the player’s desire for a salary increase (ESPN (football news outlet)).

Madrid exit context

In later interviews, Di María explained that he felt undervalued by the club’s management despite his contributions to La Décima. He also cited tactical changes under manager Carlo Ancelotti that reduced his playing time in his preferred position. The move to Manchester United was seen as both a financial opportunity and a fresh start.

The pattern: Di María’s departure from Madrid was the first major career pivot that sacrificed continuity for financial gain and a new challenge.

Di María’s career is a series of calculated risks — leaving comfort zones, chasing trophies, and ultimately returning home. For Rosario Central, his arrival in 2025 brought instant credibility and a Liga Profesional title. For the player, the move closes a circle that began two decades earlier. Di María chose to end his European journey on his own terms, rather than being pushed out.