Di Maria: Brazil under more pressure than Argentina to win World Cup

The Real Madrid winger says he and his team-mates will be able to relax more than the Selecao, around whom there is a great sense of expectancy

Argentina ace Angel di Maria has piled the pressure on Brazil ahead of the World Cup stating the hosts will be under a heavier burden than his team to win the competition.
The Selecao – who have lifted the trophy a record five times – are pre-tournament favourites along with reigning champions, Spain.
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has previously stated that his team need to win football’s biggest competition on home soil – a feat that two-time winners Argentina achieved by clinching their first title in 1978.


And Di Maria has said that the Albiceleste will benefit from lack of expectation surrounding them this summer - unlike hosts Brazil.
"Brazil won the Confederations Cup against Spain, the defending world champions, so they should be confident, but they have more pressure than us,” Di Maria told Fox Sports.
"Everyone knows it's not easy to win [the World Cup] and that, for many years, Argentina haven't been champions nor reached a final.
“They are things we have to be relaxed about, knowing we can do it because we have great players, the best in the world at the best clubs in the world."
The 26-year-old enjoyed a successful season with his club side Madrid last term as he helped Los Blancos capture the Champions League title and Copa del Rey.
Di Maria now hopes he can replicate his impressive club form for Argentina at the World Cup.
"It was a very good year, I'm happy. Now I'm thinking about the national team and hopefully things will go the same way,” he said.
“I assisted the most goals in the League and in the Copa del Rey and was the best player in the Champions League final. I think it was the best year in my career.”