Angel di Maria reveals he was ‘very close’ to quitting PSG for Barcelona before deal collapsed

The Argentinian was enticed by the idea of playing alongside Lionel Messi

Angel di Maria almost moved to Barcelona (Getty)

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria has revealed he was “very close” to sealing a move to Barcelona from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

In the end Di Maria stayed in Paris to help PSG reclaim the Ligue 1 title from Monaco, and the Argentinian has been in superb form recently.

He has been a first-team regular and has scored an impressive 13 goals from 28 appearances, including a fine hat-trick last time out against Sochaux.

“I was really close to joining Barcelona but in the end, it wasn't to be,” Di Maria said.

“But I started 2018 on a good foot, though, and I am really happy, I like assisting goals more than scoring them.”

Di Maria added that he considered the move because he wanted to play alongside his compatriot and friend Lionel Messi.

“He's always the best, he's the best every year. Cristiano Ronaldo's a special player, but Messi's from another planet,” he said.

“There are no words to describe Messi, he always surprises you.”