Dani Alves: I stopped feeling so comfortable at Barcelona
The defender lamented the change that took place at the club and decided to go
He says he's sure that the Catalans miss him as they prepare to face Juventus
Juventus signed Dani Alves from Barcelona last summer. After eight seasons with the Catalans he had become a key player for the club and a fixture in the line-up. In his first season away from Barcelona since he left, he has been called upon to face his old side, in the Champions League quarter-finals.
He spoke to FIFA’s official website about the move he made to Italy and facing Barcelona.
“It’s different but it’s a challenge at the same time. It was strange to begin with, but I’ve always enjoyed a challenge, which is why I decided to make the move,” explained Alves.
“I have to say that I didn’t feel as comfortable any more at Barça. Things changed at a club level, and as time went on, I always seemed to be the one in the firing line. ‘Dani’s the one who has to go,’ they’d say. I just got tired of it. I decided to head off in a new direction and find happiness somewhere else.
“It’s strange [to play them]! I’m sure they miss me! [laughs] I think they appreciated me as a professional, a football player, and as someone who was good to have around the place, who made every game unique, with a new dance or new music or whatever. I brought a bit of joy to the dressing room. I’ve spoken to them and they’ve told me that that’s what they miss about me the most: how happy I am and the way I am. They say I’m unique.”
