By scoring against Nîmes (3-0) on Wednesday evening his 86th goal in the PSG jersey, in all competitions (in 245 games) since his arrival in 2015, Angel Di Maria became the eighth top scorer in the history of the club, overtaking Safet Susic.
He remains far of course from Cavani's 200 goals but is still a little ahead of Neymar and his 83 achievements (in only 101 games, it is true).
Despite this good performance, it remains tempting to associate above all the Argentinian midfielder with a formidable decisive passer - which was again the case against Nîmes - more than a fox of the surfaces.
A situation which is not unlike that of Alain Giresse, European champion with the Blues in 1984. “Indeed, our records are joined, admits the former coach of PSG amused.
With the only restriction that I no longer had the number 10 label. But it's true that I scored goals like him, not striker goals that hit, but more player gestures with skill and who choose the right gesture.
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Despite this profile, Angel Di Maria, who would like to end his career in Paris after extending his contract which ends next June, suffers from a deficit of offensive notoriety.
“If we actually make the link between his performances, his goals in particular, and his notoriety, it is true that he is not as charismatic or representative as Mbappé or Neymar who are really identified as the two star attackers.
If there was, as in skiing, a combined event - assists / goals - it wouldn't be bad!
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"The only thing he lacks is that he does something outstanding"
What is missing from Mauricio Pochettino's compatriot so that his talent as a scorer is finally recognized without discussion?
“Maybe to have a few more successful matches at European level than he has had so far,” suggests Alain Giresse.
With a bang outside the group stages.
A player like him must go beyond the framework of the championship in his expression.
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Despite everything, Di Maria impresses in front of goal.
As a connoisseur, Alain Giresse praises the simplicity of his behavior: “There is no fuss, no search for superfluous things.
Besides, it would be interesting to know his goal-opportunity ratio.
Because he is very fair in front of the goal.
And even his daily life is very simple as a player.
He's not a big mouth like Neymar in his own way or Ibrahimovic.
It has a form of reserve.
It doesn't make a lot of noise.
So it reflects on his image.
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Di Maria, who does not hesitate to chamber his coach on social networks or to admit his desire to evolve with Messi next season, would he be too smooth to impose himself in the media space?
In Giresse's eyes, that doesn't matter.
"That he is a quiet father and not a have-you-seen, who cares, says the former leader of Bordeaux.
The only thing he lacks in my eyes is that he does something memorable.
Because on arrival his career is: Real Madrid, Manchester United, PSG, which is not nothing!
Except, with him, it's always:
yes, but ...
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