Dani Alves was officially presented as a Barcelona player on Wednesday afternoon. The defender, who is preparing for his second term at the Camp Nou, did so in a special outfit. Alves appeared in slippers, as he did in 2008. The Brazilian then signed his contract barefoot in the presence of President Joan Laporta and addressed the Barça fans in attendance.
“Some things you shouldn’t change,” Alves said of his shoe choice. When the defender was taken over from Sevilla by Barcelona in 2008, he did exactly the same. Earlier in the day, it was announced that Alves will play at Barcelona with shirt number 8, which he says he will wear as a ‘modest tribute’ to Andrés Iniesta and Hristo Stoichkov, who played the same number at the Camp Nou. Dani Alves played for Barcelona from 2008 to 2016 wearing numbers 20, 2, 22 and 6.
Flip flops in 2008 Flip flops in 2021@DaniAlvesD2 pic.twitter.com/vpchCXErE3
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) Nov 17, 2021
Dani Alves came to Barcelona for a speech by Xavi, he indicated at his presentation. “Xavi knows what I think and how we experience football,” said the right-back. “That increased my chances. When he called to ask if I was interested, I said: ‘It’s Barç. And if Barça need me, I’m ready. If I have to play for free, I’ll play for free. It doesn’t matter. out how.’ “I was with Barca from that call. It doesn’t matter which way. I already told Xavi five years ago that he would return as a coach at Barcelona.”
“The dressing room is a lot better now that I’m here,” Alves said with a wink. “I think we have to be positive and understand that you achieve things by working hard and being strong. Then we will win trophies again.” The Brazilian took extensive time to make a barefoot tour of the Camp Nou. “This smells like Camp Nou. This smells like prizes. This smells like cups,” said the man who won 23 titles with Barcelona and has a total of 46 trophies in his closet.
This is where the fun begins@DaniAlvesD2 pic.twitter.com/xZstBITOTv
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) Nov 17, 2021
After the presentation of Alves, Laporta took the floor. “Today is a great day,” the president added. “Dani is an extraordinary player with a lot of talent. This is a great gift for the club. The board of directors, the technical secretariat and the coach are delighted to be able to bring his soul and character to the squad. It is impressive. it for itself: Visca Barca, Visca Catalunya and Visca Dani Alves“.