'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Barcelona decided to re-sign former player Dani Alves almost immediately after appointing Xavi as the team's new head coach. Alves spent eight glorious and successful seasons at the Camp Nou between 2008 and 2016.
The last couple of weeks have been exciting for fans of FC Barcelona. In Xavi and Dani Alves, the supporters now have two pillars in the team that were instrumental to the club’s extraordinary successes in this millennium.
Dani Alves’ infectious energy and enthusiasm during his presentation showed exactly what the club had been lacking these last few years. The Brazilian will hope to play a key role in reviving Barcelona’s season.
Dani Alves will not be able to play for Barcelona until January
Although Dani Alves signed a contract with Barcelona as a free agent on November 12, 2021, he won’t be able to play until January 2022. The Brazilian full-back has begun training with Xavi and the rest of the squad. However, he will only be able to make his second debut with the Catalan club after the winter transfer window opens. That is when Barcelona will be able to register Dani Alves with La Liga.
Even with that delay, there are virtually no downsides to this signing. Alves’ salary is expected to be minimal as he loves the club and is well aware of their financial limitations at the moment. His addition will also be a major boost for Barcelona in several departments.
What are the five things that fans can expect from Dani Alves following his return to Barcelona? We discuss below:
#5 Reinstalling competitiveness in the dressing room
There might be criticism surrounding Dani Alves’ age and the fact that he’s a player past his prime. However, there can be no complaints surrounding his mentality and work ethic. One of the greatest right-backs ever, Dani Alves has left an incredible legacy at Barcelona and he has spoken publicly about wanting to restore the club to its former glory.
The Brazilian is the most decorated player in the history of the sport and has an astounding 42 trophies to his name. He recently led Brazil to an Olympic Gold at the Tokyo Games and became the oldest footballer to win a medal in a Men’s tournament. Alves was also the captain of the 2019 Copa America-winning Brazil side.
#4 Becoming a voice of leadership
The current Barcelona side also have heavyweights in the likes of Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets who have won pretty much everything. But there is the feeling that the team lacks hunger, desire and motivation to succeed. These shortcomings have been exposed on important Champions League nights where the entire team seemed to suffer from repeated mental collapses.
Dani Alves has a warrior mentality in him where he wants to succeed at any cost. During his presentation, he stated:
“I was born to win. I haven't come to Barcelona to put my feet up. I am here to play, fight for my place and earn the right to play.”
Having spent eight years alongside Xavi at the Catalan club, Dani Alves will also be responsible for getting the manager’s plans and expectations across to the dressing room.
#3 Dani Alves can guide Sergino Dest
In 2020, Barcelona signed Sergino Dest from Ajax to consolidate the right-back position, which has been a constant worry for the club ever since Dani Alves’ departure in 2016. Although the American had a promising season in 2020-21 for Barcelona, it’s quite clear that he has a lot of potential but needs to achieve consistency and stability.
It is no secret that Xavi’s arrival is expected to be a boon for the young midfielders in the Barcelona team. Similarly, Dest and even Oscar Mingueza, who has been deployed as a make-shift right-back, will learn a lot from Dani Alves.
During his introductory press conference, Dani Alves stated:
“I’m going to try and help him (Dest) as much as I can.
“I think he is a great player. He’s got everything to be one of the greats in football. We’re going to try and make him understand how things are done here and to help him adapt to the team and the style of play.”
#2 Solidifying the right flank of Barcelona
There have been several questions surrounding Dani Alves’ age and his ability. While it’s true that he’s not in the prime of his career, it’s also true that he’s still playing football at a very high level and will add a lot to Barcelona.
Dani Alves recorded 10 goals and 15 assists on his return to Brazil in the two years he played with Sao Paulo. The fact that he has been a free agent for the past few months has more to do with contractual complications and unpaid fees, instead of actual problems regarding football.
The Brazilian appeared in over 50 matches for his club in 2020 and he played all 600 minutes in the Selecao’s recent Olympic campaign in Tokyo. He has been absent from Tite’s plans recently due to his lack of action and may well be reinstated back to the senior team following a successful adventure in Barcelona.
#1 Bringing joy back to the fans
The most important aspect surrounding Dani Alves’ return to the club is the joy he brings and transmits to everyone around him, and especially to the fans. The 38-year-old is among a rare group of popular footballers who bring a sense of gravity in dealing with important matters while still retaining a child-like enthusiasm.
The return to Barcelona meant a lot to Dani Alves and it showed in his presentation where he was buoyant with happiness and emotion. After witnessing 10,000 people attend his presentation from the Camp Nou stands, he proclaimed:
“Everything I do is with the aim of bringing enjoyment to the fans. I am a fan too and I never want to let them down."
Fans can expect the unexpected with the greatest full-back in their history romping up and down the flanks once again. There is never a dull moment with Dani Alves in the side. Considering the tough few years that Barcelona have gone through, they could use all the joy that comes their way and get behind the team with more enthusiasm.
