Dani Alves has experienced numerous diverse moments. As he prepares to compete in his third World Cup, the fullback is disheartened by global events and social issues. The optimism for a better society in the face of Covid-19 has become disheartening due to a rise in inappropriate views.
“People have lost both respect and fear of death,” he asserts. Unfortunately, nothing has altered… I wished it had altered many things, but it did not. Everyone believed that things would change as we emerged from the plague, but instead, a battle broke out.
“The people have not changed; they continue to vie for power, and disdain has grown.” Whoever engages in foolish behavior in real life and on the Internet engages in even more foolishness since it attracts an audience.”
Alves has observed an increase in racial crimes. Throughout his career, he has been victimized. The most notable case occurred in 2014 while he was in Barcelona. A banana was thrown onto the pitch during a Villarreal game. Alves grabbed the fruit and consumed it without ceremony.
For him, racism was never a taboo subject. The 39-year-old proposed the concept in this interview. In response to Nelson Piquet’s racial remark at Lewis Hamilton, he did so. “It worried me, but not for the sake of the reality itself,” he explains. I will not dig too much into this topic, as pushing a drunk downward is simple. It is not just due to [Piquet’s] comments. It applies to everything that is occurring. What occurred is unprecedented. If the greatest winner in Formula One is assaulted, hated, and ostracised, imagine the state of society.
“I pray and beg pardon for these individuals. My concern is for them because they are perpetually denied opportunities and the chance to become somebody. Opportunity is not available to all.”
Alves sent Hamilton encouragement after he criticized Piquet. “It was a message for him to continue pursuing his ambitious objective,” Alves recalls. “He is a man who can change lives and must continue to fight. No one will be able to deter us from our purpose.
Returning to issues on the field, after a brief second stint with Barcelona, Alves is now a free agent. Alves wants to find a new club so that he can play for Brazil in Qatar.
Following a tumultuous time at So Paulo, Alves spent six months at the Camp Nou. “I was delighted to return to Barcelona. I wished for five years to experience this second moment. My only complaint was with how my exit was handled.
“Since my arrival, I’ve made it quite apparent that I’m no longer a 20-year-old and that I expect things to be handled directly, without concealment. The club, however, has erred in recent years. Barcelona has no regard for the club’s historical figures. As a culê [Barcelona fan], I would like to see Barcelona take a new approach. I’m not referring to myself because my situation was different. I am forever thankful to Xavi and the president for rescuing me.
“I found a club full of young players with amazing ideas on the field,” says Alves, who played 17 times for Barcelona during his second stint after appearing 247 times during his eight-year, trophy-laden first stint. “However, it must improve its efforts outside the field. The mentality is opposed to what we established a few years ago. Everything that occurs on the field is a reflection of the exterior environment.
“I’m rooting for Barcelona to return to the top, but the situation is quite delicate. Football is more balanced; it is a team sport. This has been omitted by the club.”
Since Alves departed Barcelona last month, he has been linked to a variety of clubs, including Real Valladolid, which is primarily owned by Ronaldo. There is no deadline for selecting a new club, but the conditions are clear. Alves says, “I enjoy difficulties and can adapt to any scenario.” “Today I am unemployed, yet intriguing developments have occurred. I’m researching travel destinations with a high level of competitiveness.
This is football.” To win, you must assemble a group of people who share the same objective and desire to compete. I like to win. I wish to visit a place where I can win.”
Athletico Paranaense, led by Luiz Felipe Scolari, under whom the defender played at the 2014 World Cup, is also interested in signing Alves. If he decides to return, it will be to a nation where violence towards footballers is on the rise. Since the beginning of the year, supporters have beaten players from Bahia, Fortaleza, Grêmio, and Paraná. During a January Under-20s match, a man armed with a knife entered the field to threaten a player.
“We must enhance Brazilian football, and we must combat violence in stadiums.” “It is disgraceful what has occurred in the games,” adds Alves. “Because people have children, they desire to admire something. If not, the result is frustration and trauma.
“We cannot perch on top of the story, as no new chapter would be created. I attempted to do so but was crucified [in So Paulo]. If I were to return to Brazil, it would be with Athletico Paranaense.”
Alves turned 39 in May, thus it is likely inevitable that his age will be brought up whenever the possibility of his prolonging his career is raised. He accepts that it is a problem, but believes he can still play at the greatest level. “I am aware that everyone is talking about my age, that I am old, and that twenty years ago, everyone desired me but no longer does today.” But I disagree vehemently since I now have an experience that I lacked twenty years ago. Twenty-year-olds get anxious and nervous before a big game, but I don’t.
“Age has benefits and drawbacks. There are many things you do when you’re 20 that you no longer do as you age. Maturity arises from simply living. I’ve also lived practically everything there is to live in the sport.
Alves is one of the team’s leaders and was present during Brazil’s World Cup run. He is aware that he must perform at a high level to be selected by Tite for the World Cup squad. Their longstanding and trustworthy friendship provides no assurance.
“No one plays because he is a coach’s friend. “Ultimately, his job is in jeopardy,” adds Alves. “He will maintain his privacy. He is not an idiot. He requires players who meet his requirements. Tite and I have worked together for many years. It is a relationship in which excellent performance is expected from the other party. He is highly selective.
“How does one leave the farm to become the greatest winner in the history of football? It is labor. I lack the inherent talent of Messi, Neymar, Ronaldo, Ronaldo, and Romario. I am aware that I must exert much effort to achieve my objectives. I possess talent, but I also work diligently and am disciplined.”
Alves, who has represented Brazil 125 times, including the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, is well-equipped to assess their prospects in Qatar. He goes so far as to suggest that the Seleço are “unquestionably favorites” to win the World Cup for the first time in 20 years. However, we are favored in comparison to our opponents because we have experienced a variety of moments in these competitions.
