**Angel Di Maria’s Dream Return to Rosario Central Foiled by Death Threats and Violence**
Angel Di Maria has revealed that his highly anticipated return to his boyhood club Rosario Central was thwarted by drug-related violence and threats to his family. The 36-year-old Argentine midfielder had intended to return to the club after announcing his retirement from international football earlier this month. However, he has now disclosed that he received death threats from unknown sources, including a pig’s head with a bullet lodged in its forehead and a package containing a death threat against one of his daughters.
Di Maria’s decision to abandon his return to Rosario Central was influenced by the tactics employed to dissuade him from pursuing his dream. According to reports, his family received threats, including a car leaving a sign in front of the private neighborhood where Di Maria usually stays, stating that not even the provincial governor Maximiliano Pullaro could guarantee their safety if he returns to the city.
The region of Rosario has experienced increased violence tied to drug trafficking, making it an unfavorable environment for Di Maria’s family. The 36-year-old’s parents were reportedly told that aggressors would “kill a family member” if he returns.
Di Maria addressed the criticism he received from Rosario fans after deciding against a return to the club, urging for empathy and understanding. He emphasized that those who criticized him did not put themselves in his shoes and did not understand the threats his family faced.
Rosario, a city known for its agro-port hub, has seen an intense increase in violence by drug trafficking groups, making it a potential outlet for illegal drugs to other countries. The Argentine government has announced plans to send a bill to Congress to allow the armed forces to intervene in internal security operations to fight drug trafficking and crime in Rosario.
Di Maria is currently a free agent following the expiration of his Benfica contract. Despite the threats, he could be set for another return to the club, with reports indicating that the midfielder had reached an agreement to extend his stay.
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Angel Di Maria’s dream return to boyhood club Rosario Central ended after gangs send him a ‘pig’s head with a bullet in it’ and a ‘death threat against one of his daughters’