Anwar Ibrahim (Cairo)
The adventure of veteran Brazilian star Dani Alves, 39, with Barcelona, the club he loves and unconditionally answered the call to return to him again last November, as soon as he received a phone call from his old friend Xavi Hernandez, the technical director of Barca.
Xavi had summoned Alves to take advantage of his long experience in the Spanish stadiums by virtue of his first passage to the Catalan club, which witnessed the best years of his football career, and for his knowledge of his ability to offer young players the juice of his experiences on and off the field and in the dressing room.
Alves joined Barcelona “for free” one month before the end of last year 2021, as he was a “free agent” without a club, and was able to play an influential and important role in the change process led by Xavi in order to return the team to the podiums, and contributed to the team’s progress from Seventh in the league to second place after Real Madrid, the leaders of the League since the beginning of the season, and although Alves played only 16 games, he was influential in the team’s results, scoring one goal and making 3 assists.
And the pro-Barca newspaper, Sport, stated that what Alves had provided during his short period at the Camp Nou was not enough for him to obtain a new contract, as his initial contract was expiring at the end of the season. The newspaper said that the Barcelona administration informed him that he would not be needed in the new season. Xavi was keen to praise Alves’ professionalism and talent as a leader, but the club apparently decided to search for other better options in the right-back position occupied by Alves. And if Oscar Mingiza is expected to leave this summer, the renewal of Sergio Roberto provided a suitable solution in the right-back position, which may leave the American Sergino Dest, in addition to other moves that may include new deals in the defense line.
The newspaper admitted that the decision to dispense with Alves services is a severe blow to the ambition of this player, who hopes to participate in his country in the upcoming World Cup in Qatar 2022. About a club ready to give him enough playing minutes until next November, the date of the start of the World Cup.