Angel Di Maria Cancels Return to Rosario Central

Argentinian midfielder Angel Di Maria has announced he will not return to his boyhood club Rosario Central due to death threats against his family, attributed to rising gang and drug-related violence in the city. Recently retired from international soccer after winning the Copa America, Di Maria described receiving a pig's head with a bullet and a note threatening his daughter if he returned to Rosario. Despite increased security measures implemented by authorities, he criticized the prioritization of safety for public figures over the daily risks faced by ordinary citizens in Rosario. Di Maria's situation highlights the broader issue of escalating violence affecting public figures and residents alike in the region. He expressed his determination to protect his family's peace and well-being, stating, "They touched my family and I am not going to allow that. Not at any price." Similar threats have also targeted other football stars, including Lionel Messi, reflecting a troubling trend of intimidation in Argentine sports.