Di Maria wants to be considered for Ballon d´Or

Angel di Maria believes he should be in contention for the next Ballon d’Or after enjoying his best season for Real Madrid.

Di Maria was instrumental for Real in 2013-14 as Carlo Ancelotti’s men won the Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League.

The Argentina international produced a man-of-the-match performance to help Real to a 4-1 victory over city rivals and La Liga winners Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final in Lisbon last weekend.

Real team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale tend to get the headlines, but 26-year-old Di Maria, who netted 11 goals in all competitions, believes he deserves more credit for the impact he has made.

“Sometimes I don’t understand why I’m not on the list when I’ve had a great season for a great club,” he said.

“Here are the players who won. I didn’t win and I wasn’t even among the nominees, the 10 or 50 best. But these things happen. You have to keep working.

“You work to continue to grow and improve and be among the best.

“There are many players who are doing well but I think I had a great season, my best at Real Madrid.

“We won the Champions League and I was the best player in the final. I also had a good year with the national team.

“I hope everything goes well now.”