"Wearing this jersey is a privilege"

FULL INTERVIEW

With a goal and an assist in the 2-0 win over Boavista, Di María marked game 150 for Benfica in the best possible way last Friday, January 19. Another page of glory for the world champion since his debut with the eagle on his chest against FC Copenhagen in the 3rd qualifying round of the 2007/08 Champions League. 

150 MATCHES

"For me, it's important. I think a lot has happened since the first day I arrived, when I was 17/18 years old. I left and now I'm back. For me, it's a privilege to keep playing and to have the chance to wear this jersey. I said it the day I left, and I repeated it the day I came back: Benfica is my home in Europe. The club opened the doors for me to go on and achieve things. I'm completely grateful. I hope I can play out the rest of this season and that this record of 150 goes on for many more."

DEBUT IN THE 3RD QUALIFYING ROUND OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IN 2007

"It was a privilege to play my first game in this way... To wear this shirt, to have the chance to play in the Champions League. I think it's something very beautiful...For me it was - and I'm sure it is for him too - something that seems very distant when you're a kid. Then, suddenly, it all goes by so quickly, and you're playing in such an important competition. It was something very beautiful for me and, from that moment, a v wonderful story with Benfica began."

MATCH 50: 2-0 WIN OVER NAPOLI IN THE EUROPA LEAGUE

"A lot of years have passed, but whenever it's a European competition, it's something very important for everyone. Playing a lot of games in this competition is something very nice and good, as you said, we won that game and the important thing, with this shirt, is to always win. I think that's what's important."

MATCH 100: ASSIST FOR SAVIOLA...

"I remember very little. It happened a long time ago, but, as I said before, all those games, from the day I arrived until the day I left... It was a privilege to wear this shirt. As João said, being able to wear this shirt for a long time is something very beautiful. (...) Perfect. It's like he said: I'm older, but I'm still trying to maintain the same quality."

MATCH 150

"The truth is that the same thing happened to me as João, I didn't know it was match 150. I only found out the next day. I'm happy about the goal, the assist, and that it happened this way. Wearing this shirt is very important."

PERFORMANCE: 11 GOALS AND 3 ASSISTS SO FAR THIS SEASON...

"I think it's thanks to them [teammates] that I'm still the way I am. They're the ones who run for me, they help me to keep scoring goals, to be closer to goal, which is where I feel best. I think the most important thing is to always work hard, to keep working in the same way, to never lose the mentality of always wanting to win. Having such young players with such quality is a privilege for me. I try to help, and also that they help me to continue on this path."

ANALYSIS OF THE CAREER AS AN EAGLE

"I'm happy to be here again, happy with the people, happy in Lisbon, happy in the house I'm in... My wife is happy, my daughters are very happy here. Before I left last season, I was only with my wife, I had no children, and now I have two daughters... I wanted them to see where it all began, where I was very, very happy when I was very young. I think they're now realizing what Benfica is, what Lisbon is and, for me, that's the most important thing."

LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL AGAINST ESTORIL

"I always say the same thing... From the moment I started playing until today, my mentality has always been to want more and more. We're two games away from lifting another trophy, no matter the competition, it's always important, whether it's winning the World Cup or whatever. The most important thing is always to win and win. I think that when you finish your career, what's important and what remains is all this, what you've achieved over so many years. For me, this Wednesday's game is very important. It's already a final because it gives you the chance to reach Saturday's final, and also to try and win another title, which, for any player, is the most important thing."