Spanish La Liga
Dani Alves reveals the real reason why he returned to Barcelona
Dani Alves reveals the real reason why he returned to Barcelona.
Dani Alves joined Barcelona in a dramatic return to the club following the signing of Xavi Hernandez as head Coach of the Catalans.
The 38-year-old signed an 18-month contract with Barcelona on Wednesday in front of 10,000 fans at Camp Nou.
Alves departed the LaLiga giants five years ago to join Serie A side Juventus.
The right-back has revealed the real reason why he returned to the Nou Camp.
Speaking at his unveiling on Wednesday, the Brazilian revealed he joined Barcelona because he made a promise to return to Camp Nou.
“The locker room right now is a lot better than I am here,” Alves said.
“They are very young players, with a lot of ambition, and some of us that have already run a few more miles than them, we need to put our strengths together to transform Barca again.
“And I insist that we can only do this together. Alone, we can’t do anything. I am sure if we unite our forces together and if we are positive. Great things can only be achieved through hard work and positivity.
“It’s like the slogan of this club: it is more than a club because we are all Barca and Barca is all of us. So thank you so much.”
He added, “I’m clear that I want to play the 2022 World Cup and anything can happen here. There are special things in this club and this city.
“I am back five years after I left and you have to value the chance to return to Barca. Words fail me.
“It is a special day for me. I have won a war because I promised myself that I would return.”
Alves was released by Sao Paulo in September this year and will need time to catch up with his new teammates, but he already knows the demands of life at Camp Nou well.