Why does Dani Alves wear the No.8 shirt for Barcelona?
Robin Bairner
- 17 Nov 2021 14:03 GMT
- 3 min read
Dani Alves’ return to Barcelona has been marked by his decision to wear the No.8 shirt for the club.
Given his position as a right-back, it is a bold move. Traditionally, a player in his spot would wear the No.2.
However, Dani Alves finds that figure blocked by USA international Sergino Dest, who typically fills the duties on the right side of defence.
As such, the Brazil international has been forced to pick another number. The No.8 shirt, meanwhile, was free following Miralem Pjanic’s move to Besiktas in the summer, and Alves has agreed to take that number.
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Previously, he has worn the numbers 20, 2, 22 and 6 for the club – all of which are taken at present.
So why has he picked No.8?
“I think there are tributes that must be made in life,” he told Barca TV before explaining his desire to pay his respects to those who had worn the No.8 shirt previously.
“I’m friends with Andres Iniesta and Hristo Stoichkov. I called Andres and told him it would be an honour to wear it and he told me that it was in my hands.
“It’s a great honour and must be carried with respect. It’s very special to me.”
This will not be the first time that Dani Alves has worn the No.8 shirt at club level either. He did so in the early part of his career with Sevilla, where he made his name before moving to Barcelona.
Why Dani Alves wore flip flops to Barca presentation
Dani Alves’ dress sense caught the eye when he was presented as a Barcelona player the second time around, notably wearing flip-flops – just as he did when he first signed for the club.
“In life many things can change,” he explained when asked why he decided to wear them. “I’m somewhat better off than I was the first time, but there are other things that cannot change and stepping onto this pitch again I could not do it any other way.
“I became very big here and I’m coming back to make this club greater again. This club is our thing. Those of us who feel about this club and this badge must be united to put the club on top, where it deserves to be.”
Dani Alves made 391 appearances for Barcelona in his first spell, which ran from 2008 to 2016.
