Free agent defender Dani Alves has, on Monday, opened up on his recent departure from FC Barcelona.
Veteran right-back Alves of course secured a surprise return to the Camp Nou this past January, joining former teammate Xavi Hernandez’s ranks on the back of the latter’s instillation as manager.
And though, at the time, the signing was viewed as more geared towards aiding the development of the younger members of Barca’s squad, the weeks and months which followed in fact saw Alves play an important role in the Catalan capital.
All told, the Brazilian racked up 16 appearances across all competitions, including 13 starts in La Liga en route to the Blaugrana’s surge to an eventual 2nd-placed finish in the Spanish top-flight.
RECIFE, BRAZIL – SEPTEMBER 09: Dani Alves controls the ball during a match between Brazil and Peru as part of South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022 at Arena Pernambuco on September 09, 2021 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)
Nevertheless, upon the season coming to a close, word was swiftly forthcoming that Alves’ stay would not be extended.
This comes with the defender set to turn 40 next year, and Barca in the process of rebuilding a squad capable of competing at the very pinnacle of European football.
Speaking in an interview with The Guardian on Monday, Alves was therefore inevitably drawn on his 2nd stint at the Camp Nou.
And though he was quick to assure that the experience proved an altogether positive one, the ex-Juventus and PSG standout also made use of the opportunity to take aim at the powers that be at the club.
This comes with Alves of the opinion that Barcelona have steered from the path which once proved so fruitful, no longer caring ‘about the people who made history for the club’.
“Since I arrived, I made it very clear that I wasn’t any more a 20-year-old guy and that I wanted things to be done head-on, without hiding things,” the Brazilian icon began. “But this club has sinned in recent years. Barcelona don’t care about the people who made history for the club. As a Barca fan, I would like Barcelona to do things differently. I’m not talking about myself because my situation was another scenario. I am eternally grateful to Xavi and the president for bringing me back.
“I found a club full of young people with incredible ideas on the pitch. But it needs to improve the work outside the field. The mindset is totally opposite to what we built a few years ago. Everything that happens on the field is a reflection of what happens outside.
“I’m supporting for Barcelona to come back to the top, but it’s super-complicated. Football is more balanced, it’s a collective game. And that has been left out at the club.”
Dani Alves: ‘Everyone says I’m old but I completely disagree.’
Interview by @thiagorabelo1 https://t.co/XWmkUifU3B
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) July 11, 2022
Raphinha ‘knows he will be a Barcelona player’ in the coming hours
Monday’s transfer rumours: De Ligt, Dembele, Bellingham, Lewandowski, Martinez and more
