Di Maria, Not Messi, Voted The Best Argentine Footballer For 2014

 

Angel Di Maria has had a decent start to life at Manchester United although his form has somewhat dipped after a blistering start. Still, most people would probably agree that Lionel Messi is the better player. Only Cristiano Ronaldo even warrants comparison, or so you’d think.

The sports journalists of Argentina have an annual vote in which they decide the best player currently plying his trade outside the homeland. Di Maria pipped Messi to top spot, largely as a result of his sterling work at Real Madrid last season, concluding with his outstanding performance in the Champions League final.

The Circle of Sports Journalists had a three man shortlist that was rounded off with Javier Mascherano. The vote was secret and it is not made known how many votes Di Maria won by.

This is the first time since 2006 that the Barcelona icon has failed to win the award and, while he by no means had a poor season, he didn’t quite hit the peaks of previous years.