Angel Di Maria ditches Argentina return plans after terrifying pig's head death threat against his daughter

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JULY 14: Angel Di Maria of Argentina reacts during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Final match between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium on July 14, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Angel Di Maria has put the brakes on his intended return his hometown club where he started his career, Rosario Central, after his sister was sent a box containing a pig's head, a bullet and a threat against his daughter's life if he went through on his plans.

Di Maria left Central in 2007 to move to Benfica, going on to play for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and then Benfica again.

The 145-cap Argentina winger had previously stated his desire to return to Rosario to round out his career, but the threat has quite understandably caused him to reconsider.

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Angel Di Maria ditches Rosario Central plans after family threatened

As reported by CBS News, Di Maria told TV station Rosario3: "There was a threat at my sister's business.

"It was a box with a pig 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.

"I am not going to return to Rosario in this way. They touched my family and I am not going to allow that. Not at any price." Di Maria added that he was determined to protect his family's "peace and happiness".

Argentina Copa America 2024 squad Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina looks downfield during a Copa America 2024 Group A match between Chile and Argentina at Metlife Stadium on June 25, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi's family has also been targeted in Rosario (Image credit: Getty Images)

Di Maria has also spoken out against what he sees an inadequate provision from the country's authorities to protect people's safety in the city.

Last year a shop owned by Lionel Messi's wife was fired on by gunmen in Rosario, with CBS reporting that the targeting of footballers and other high-profile figures has been 'interpreted as gangs flexing their muscles'.

Di Maria said: "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."

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JULY 14: Angel Di Maria of Argentina celebrates following the team's victory during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Final match between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium on July 14, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Di Maria most recently won Copa America (Image credit: Getty Images)

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Steven Chicken

Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.