Barcelona’s Dani Alves is set to leave the club this summer and is most likely to agree to a three-year deal with Italian giants Juventus. Ending months of speculation regarding his future, the Brazilian right-back has penned an emotional letter to the club’s fans via social media on Thursday.
The 33-year-old full-back arrived at the club in July 2008 and now leaves after a glorious 8-year long stint, winning a plethora of trophies which includes three Champions League and six La Liga titles.
Whilst he was one one of the most sought after defender at the time of his arrival, even in his wildest dream would he have envisaged the success that he would enjoy in the red and blue shirt. His stay in the Catalan side bore fruit as he collected twenty-three trophies in 391 appearances and more than 100 assists to his name in La Liga; a figure bettered only by Lionel Messi and Luis Figo.
In his letter on Instagram, Alves talks briefly about his time at Barcelona, saying “Since the first day, since that first training session under Pep Guardiola, until the last moment of the last season, I have had the fortune to be able to passionately enjoy football.”
Also read: FC Barcelona confirm on Twitter that Dani Alves has asked for a transfer away
The Brazilian hailed the unwavering support of the fans in times of joy as well as sorrows: “I have tens, hundreds of images caught in my mind of the moments shared with you all at Camp Nou, from the grass of the world’s greatest stadiums, in the streets of Barcelona… so many goal celebrations, so much happiness in the form of titles,” adding that he was “very privileged” that life gave him the opportunity to “dress in the shirt of the best club in the world in a prodigious decade in terms of the quality of players and managers.”
Alves played crucial roles in the treble-winning seasons under both Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique, playing alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Thiery Henry, Carlos Puyol and Xavi Hernandez to name a few.. However, he insisted that Barca is all about collective effort and the effort of all people working with the club has been the key to the team’s incredible success: “the dressing room at Barça is not a place for individuals. Everyone wins, everyone loses. And we work together. And we all sail the ship, presidents, managers, coaching staff, people who work at the club… many thanks to all of them because I have always seen my efforts compensated with their confidence and support.”
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Lastly, he spoke about his decision of taking on “new challenges” in his career, and reminded the fans of his immense loyalty: “And this is my moment. I am going, but I will be back, because I am another Cule. Thanks for making me feel so loved.” No wonder Alves has always been a favourite with the Blaugranes.
Currently training with Brazil for the Copa America, the right-back had earlier sent a cryptic message through a post on Instagram, hinting at a move away from Camp Nou, which read as “What does luck mean to you? For me, it is the meeting of opportunity with preparation...And what does fate mean to you? For me, fate is sitting still on the sofa waiting for luck to arrive."
Barcelona are already active in the transfer market in their pursuit to find a suitable replacement for the player, and are reportedly in the chase for Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin and PSG’s Marquinhos, but whoever comes in will have very big shoes to fill in.
Make sure you have Google Translate to clearly understand his message:
