Alves Returns to Barca to Fight for his Place
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FC Barcelona presents its newest signing, Dani Alves, in front of about 10,000 fans, and the latter says he came back to the club to "put his feet up."
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The Brazilian has signed on a free transfer and will reportedly accept the lowest salary in Barcelona's first-team squad.
Dani Alves said he has returned to Barcelona to fight for his place, not "put his feet up," after the 38-year-old was presented to almost 10,000 fans at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
Alves bowed, waved, and kissed the club's badge in front of Barca supporters chanting his name, before signing a contract on the pitch alongside club president Joan Laporta.
Showing DA Love pic.twitter.com/CdS7mZsBo3
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 17, 2021
In a press conference shortly afterwards, Laporta even kept open the possibility of more former stars returning, in response to a question about the futures of former Barca players Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta.
Alves is back five years after leaving Barcelona, having won six La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues with the club. He played in the same team as Xavi Hernandez, who recently returned to the club as a coach.
"One thing that doesn't change is the desire to fight," said Alves.
The Brazilian has signed on a free transfer and will reportedly accept the lowest salary in Barcelona's first-team squad. He will be available to play in January, with his contract initially running only until June.
"I was doing everything I could with the president, insisting that I wanted to come back and that I could help," Alves said. "In the end, I received a call from Xavi saying that he would count on me if I wanted to come. The rest was very easy."
Laporta said Xavi was in favor of Alves coming back. "I told Xavi that Dani was available and wanted to help," Laporta said. "Xavi told me Dani is one of those people you always need in your team."
On Friday, Barcelona announced that Alves will be returning to the club as new coach Xavi's first signing.
🤯 @DaniAlvesD2 is coming back to Barça!
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 12, 2021
"Barcelona and Dani Alves have reached an agreement in principle for the player to join the football first team for the remainder of the current season," the club mentioned in a statement.
