Angel Di Maria leaves PSG match abruptly after burglary at his home

Di Maria was substituted after a conversation between Leonardo and Mauricio Pochettino

(AFP via Getty Images)

Angel Di Maria was abruptly substituted and rushed from the Parc des Princes on Sunday after PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino was told that the Argentine winger’s home had been robbed while his family were inside.

PSG’s sporting director Leonardo was seen on his mobile moments before a discussion with Pochettino as the club faced Nantes, with Di Maria substituted straight afterwards.

Pochettino accompanied Di Maria back to the dressing room as play continued in the second half, with a specialised robbery unit attending his address in Neuilly-sur Seine.

Unconfirmed reports in France and Spain claimed the robbery was “extremely violent” and that Di Maria’s family had been held hostage.

“There was a situation outside of sport itself that you’re now aware of,” Pochettino said afterwards. “For the players this goes beyond football and it should be taken into consideration.”

Read more

• How ‘fine margins’ – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s favourite phrase – explains Manchester United’s season
• Wolves vs Liverpool prediction: How will Premier League fixture play out tonight?
• Can I play golf under new lockdown rules?

RMC Sport reported that the home belonging to club captain Marquinhos’ parents had also been targeted by burglars.

It is not the first time PSG’s players have been targeted, with thieves stealing £350,00 worth of items from striker Mauro Icardi’s home in January. Goalkeeper Sergio Rico was also the victim of a recent burglary.

Di Maria’s family were previously the target of an attempted robbery in 2015 during his time at Manchester United, while last week Everton goalkeeper Robin Olsen and his family were threatened with a machete during a raid at their home.