Angel Di Maria Receives Hero’s Welcome As He Returns to Benfica After 13 Years: Video

• Angel Di Maria has returned to Benfica
• The Argentine left the Portuguese giants in 2010 and went on to achieve everything in football
• He recently got a hero's welcome as he was introduced to the team

After 13 years away, Angel Di Maria is back at Benfica.

The 2022 World Cup winner played for the Portuguese giants between 2007 and 2010 before moving to Real Madrid, where he became one of the best wingers in the sport. Hundreds of fans welcomed the 35-year-old, who spent last season with Italian side Juventus.

The Argentina legend signed a one-year deal and is hoping to help the team defend the title they won last season in outstanding fashion.

The former Paris Saint-Germain winger won the Portuguese league and cup double in his last season with Benfica before moving to Real Madrid. In Spain, he won La Liga, two domestic cups, and the 2014 Champions League. He was the Man of the Match in the final against bitter rivals Atletico Madrid.

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He also played for PSG for seven years, where he won 22 major trophies, per Transfermarkt.

Di Maria gets hero's welcome

The former Manchester United forward signed a contract and was presented on Thursday afternoon, July 6, at Estádio da Luz. As he emerged to greet the fans, he was met with loud cheers. He was emotional as he thanked the Benfica supporters.

"I am back home, because I feel Benfica as my home, it is something unique."

He made his debut in August 2007 against FC Copenhagen in the second leg of the third qualifying round for the Champions League. He played 45 games in his first season in Portugal and scored one goal, and added six assists. He won his first trophy with the club, participating in all five matches of the victorious campaign in the League Cup.

He played 121 games for Benfica and contributed 15 goals and 28 assists.

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Di Maria makes underrated list

Sports Brief earlier listed the most underrated footballers in the world who, despite doing some of the most important work for their teams, don't get the glory.

Di Maris is top of the list due to his impressive performances over the years, including the 2022 World Cup final.

The list included Keylor Navas, who won 11 trophies with Real Madrid. Other players that made the list were Sergio Busquets and Thomas Muller.