Barcelona release Dani Alves on free transfer
FT Desk
- Updated: 15 Jun 2022 18:52 BST
- 3 min read
Dani Alves will leave Barcelona on a free transfer at the end of the month after the club rejected his request to sign a new short-term contract.
The Brazilian veteran made a shock return to Camp Nou in November, having been a free agent following the rescission of his contract at Sao Paulo.
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The 39-year-old became the first signing of the new Xavi era, penning a deal until the end of the season.
According to reports in Spain, Dani Alves was only paid €1 a month to play for the Blaugrana in a bid to help the club through their much-publicised financial crisis.
However, despite his low wage, Barcelona have decided against handing the Brazilian a new contract.
The player himself released a statement confirming the news, saying: "Dear Culés, it's time for us to say goodbye.
"It was more than eight years dedicated to this club, to these colours and to this home, but like everything in life, years go by, roads divert and stories are written for some time in different places and so it was."
Ig Alves: "Dear Culés,
It's time for us to say goodbye.
It was more than 8 years dedicated to this club, to these colours and to this home, but like everything in life, years go by, roads divert and stories are written for some time in different places and so it was." [danialves] pic.twitter.com/33TBGCqddA— barcacentre (@barcacentre) June 15, 2022
Dani Alves wanted to stay
Dani Alves had wanted to stay on for at least another six months in order to prepare for the 2022 World Cup in November.
But Barcelona have rejected his request, despite the veteran being arguably the club’s best right-back during the 2021-22 season.
He made 17 appearances, scoring one goal and making three assists. His solitary goal came in the 4-2 win over Atletico Madrid.
Dani Alves originally joined Barcelona in 2008 from Sevilla and went on to spend eight glorious years in Catalunya.
He made 391 appearances in all competitions, scoring 21 goals and winning every major club honour in the game.
The right back won six La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues among the plethora of trophies before leaving to join Juventus in 2016.
He is hoping to find another club in order to earn his spot in Brazil’s World Cup squad later year.
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