Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Real Madrid decided to cash in on Angel Di Maria this summer due to the Argentine’s hefty wage demands.
The versatile midfielder played a key role in Madrid’s successful Champions League campaign last term as they at last won La Decima.
However, Di Maria was then sold to Manchester United in a deal worth €75 million after talks over a contract renewal broke down.
“Di Maria demanded a lot of money and preferred to leave in order to earn more elsewhere. The club simply couldn’t give him the money he wanted,” Ancelotti told Cadena Cope.
“There are times when a club has to say no. You cannot change the club’s policy for just one player.”
The Madrid coach also had his say on Cristiano Ronaldo and insisted the Portugal international is the best player he has ever coached, while admitting that it is not an easy decision to rotate the attacker.
“I have coached Zinedine Zidane and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but I think Ronaldo is the best player I ever trained.
“It’s never an easy decision to rest him. He nearly always scores when he plays and you almost start each game 1-0 up when he starts. He is a great professional.”
Ancelotti then went on to discuss the signing of James Rodriguez and stressed that the former Monaco man is worth his €80m pricetag, while dismissing claims he is being forced to play the forward to satisfy the Madrid hierarchy.
“James is worth the money. When you pay €80m, it’s because you think a player is worth it.
“If the president told me to play someone, I’d step down right away…”
James has netted once in seven La Liga appearances so far, while creating two more.
