Dani Alves is still regarded as one of the world’s best right back, hence his inclusion in the 2016 FIFpro XI. It is for this reason that his exit from Barcelona remains a surprise to many.
The Brazilian enjoyed the first half of 2016 at Camp Nou, but left the Blaugrana as a free agent last summer. Since his departure, the Catalan giants have failed to replace him, thus highlighting his importance to the club.
Despite being a valuable player, Alves claims he was mistreated at Barca by the club’s hierarchy. The former Selecao ace insists that the higher-ups don’t know how to treat their players.
The Juventus defender gave an explosive interview on his former employers, speaking to ABC (as per Marca) about his departure from Camp out. Alves said: "I like to be loved, and if they do not want me, I'm leaving. Leaving Barcelona on a free was a big lesson.
"During my last three seasons I always heard that 'Alves was leaving', but the managers never said anything to me. They were very false and ungrateful. They did not respect me.
"I was only offered to renew when the FIFA transfer ban came in. That was when I went and signed a deal with a termination clause.
"Those who run Barcelona today have no idea how to treat their players."
Dani Alves also spoke of his relationship with Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Due to the positions they play in, the two have clashed several times on the pitch, but their relationship outside of the game is also well documented.
However, the Brazilian insists that the media skewed his relationship with the Portuguese ace. Alves added: "All my fights with Cristiano were because of the press.
"If people only knew how much I respect Cristiano Ronaldo. I will repeat it to make myself clear: I respect Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Everyone who talks to me about Cristiano tell me that he's a great pro, but he is different, he was my rival and I had to compete with him.
"When I spoke about him being too selfish, when you win you are going to be the star but when you lose they will go for you, so I said it in a very respectful way.
"And I think the same of [Lionel] Messi or Neymar. But my thoughts were not negative. What happens is that the press portrayed them differently, saying that I had spoken ill of him.
"And Ronaldo believed it. That's why he did not greet me at the Ballon d'Or gala in 2015. I do not need to talk about anyone to go out in the newspapers. I have no ego."
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