Angel Di Maria: Real Madrid Did Not Want Me to Play in World Cup Final

In a recent confession, Angel Di Maria has taken his relationship with his ex boss Florentino Perez to another level claiming that he was asked not to play for Argentina to avoid aggravating a thigh injury in the World Cup final this summer.

The 26-year-old also confessed that he has never been on good terms with Real Madrid president Perez.

The former Real Madrid winger moved to Manchester United in a €75 million deal in August after being the star performer, helping his country to set up a final with Germany in the Brazil World Cup.

'What I love the most is playing with Argentina. I got a letter from Madrid that arrived at 11:00 on the day of the [World Cup final] asking me not to play," Di Maria told America & Closs.

"We were playing at 16:00 and I was preparing myself to be in the best condition, knowing that I could have got injured. As soon as I go that letter, I ripped it up. I did not care, no matter what.

"I talked with coach Alejandro Sabella and it was his decision. I didn't want to pressure him. I knew I could have to come off after 15 minutes and left the team in trouble, I didn't want that."

With the signings of Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, Di Maria found himself left in the cold at Real, before eventually joining Manchester United.

Madrid president Perez claimed that the player wanted to leave the club for money and that only Cristiano Ronaldo would have earned more had Di Maria signed a contract extension.

However, Di Maria rubbished the claim saying he never had a professional relationship with Perez and the money the club received after selling him will help Real Madrid's economy.

"I saw what he said. To be able to earn what Cristiano earns I would have had to have been the best player at the World Cup or won the Ballon d'Or," said the winger.

"It looks like Perez gave that offer to another person. I don't have a clue who he offered that to. I don't have a working relationship with him. When I signed a new deal he wasn't there either.

"I never said I wanted to leave Real Madrid, I never wanted that, but you have to move on when they don't want you. Let them say what they want about me, the millions they received for selling me will help the Real Madrid economy a lot."

Di Maria also confirmed Ronaldo's support for him and believes that the Portuguese player may also move on to some other club in the coming years after he expressed a wish to return to Old Trafford one day.

"Cristiano was always on my side," he continued. "He fought for me to stay. I don't know how long he will stay at Madrid."

Di Maria also expressed his happiness at moving to United.

"I want to score goals and get United back to where they should be. I'm very happy to be in Manchester," he said.

Meanwhile, Perez has revealed that the club has made a turnover of €603.9 million for the 2013-14 season, with an increase of 10.9 percent from the previous season, while their net profit has increased by a further 44 percent to €38.5m with the debt reducing by 21 percent.

"For the tenth consecutive year, we will be the highest earning sports institution in the world, and for the third consecutive year, Forbes considers us the most valuable club in the world," Perez said.