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.
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“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.”