Dani Alves hopes Lionel Messi will return to Barcelona like him. The 38-year-old Brazilian played in the blaugrana no fewer than 349 times together with the star of Paris Saint-Germain and hopes to add a number of matches from next summer. “It is clear to me that Leo is not enjoying himself in Paris,” Alves told ESPN†
The veteran right-back himself returned to Barcelona late last year after offering himself to President Joan Laporta. “When I left Barca myself, Messi tried to stop me. He asked: ‘Where are you going to have it better than here?'” says Alves about his retirement in 2016. “I have now proved: there is no better place. than Barcelona.” In his first eight years in Catalonia, Alves formed a very successful right-wing tandem with Messi, sending a total of 43 assists to the current Ballon d’Or holder. With that, Alves only has to tolerate Luis Suárez (56 assists on Messi). Alves played a total of 349 times with Messi and is therefore in seventh place. Sergio Busquets (567 times), Gerard Piqué (506 times) and Andrès Iniesta (489 times) were the most often on the field with the Argentinian.
Dani Alves, Lionel Messi and Neymar discuss a free kick. (March 18, 2015)
Messi was forced to leave Barcelona last summer because his contract could not be extended due to financial problems. The Argentinian went to PSG, where he absolutely could not find his way, Alves also sees. “Leo is out of place in Paris,” said the Brazilian. Messi has scored 7 goals and 11 assists in Paris after 26 official matches, by far his least productive season since his first years as a professional footballer. “I don’t know if it’s possible, but hopefully he can come back, let him play with me,” Alves smiles. Messi has a contract until mid-2023 and, according to RMC Sports plan to serve that out, even after the disappointing Champions League elimination against Real Madrid.
Alves is also asked about a current teammate of his at Barcelona: Pedri. “He reminds me of Xavi,” said the right-back. “He manages to see things that others don’t and performs what others cannot do.” Barcelona will visit Real next Sunday in the Santiago Bernabéu. Alves was able to prepare for el Clásico in peace, as the right-back is not registered in the Europa League, in which Barça recorded a 1-2 win against Galatasaray on Thursday. Alves is probably in the starting line-up, also because his competitor Sergiño Dest is temporarily out due to a hamstring injury.