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Goal.com 50: Dani Alves (20)
The Barcelona full-back helped the Catalan club to two more trophies in 2010-11 and is next as our countdown of the best players in the world last season reaches its top 20
9 Aug 2011 09:28:00
By Ben Hayward
ProShots
Welcome to the Goal.com 50! In this special series, Goal.com editors worldwide vote for the top 50 players of 2010-11. We count down to the announcement of the winner on August 21 with profiles of each and every player who made it into the top 50...
Barcelona's disappointing defeat at promoted side Numancia on August 31, 2008 seemed a forgettable occasion for Blaugrana fans at the time, but it marked the beginning of the most memorable era in the Catalan club's modern history. Pep Guardiola made his domestic debut as Barca coach that night, surviving the sorry Soria showing to seal an historic treble of La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey titles, the first steps on the way to building one of the most successful teams of all time.
And one of the key members of that team has a story which runs parallel to Pep's trajectory as coach of the Catalan club. That player also debuted at Numancia and has since gone on to become the finest exponent of his position in the world. That player is Dani Alves.
Before moving to Barcelona, Alves starred in the superb Sevilla side that won back-to-back Uefa Cups in 2006 and 2007. Never a prolific goalscorer but always chipping in with several strikes each season, the Brazilian represented the Andalusians' principal attacking threat - despite operating as a right-back.
Alves accumulated 19 and 18 assists, respectively, in his last two seasons in the south of Spain, and has continued in the same vein at Camp Nou, racking up a career best total of 20 in 54 appearances last term.
At the end of his second season, Dani was part of the Barca side that saw their hopes of retaining the Champions League go up in smoke with a semi-final defeat against Inter, who would go on to win the competition. He also watched Inter rival and compatriot Maicon take the plaudits as he was voted club defender of the year by Uefa and named in Fifa's World XI for the season. And Maicon's form saw Alves' path to the right-back spot blocked for Brazil as well, with the Inter star also finding his way into the All-star team at last summer's World Cup.
A year on, however, and the roles have been reversed. While Maicon's star is falling, Alves' ascent shows no signs of stalling. The Barca right-back plays high up the pitch for Guardiola's side, operating as an unorthodox winger and supporting the attack; Alves has formed glorious associations with both Lionel Messi and Pedro on the right. Blessed with pace, power, strength, excellent technical ability and a fierce shot, the Brazilian is the complete modern player.
A return of four goals and 20 assists in 54 games from full-back is testament to that, although question marks remain over the Brazilian's solidity in defence. Alves clumsily conceded a penalty to Marcelo - even though the latter apparently later told him he had dived - against Real Madrid in early April at the Santiago Bernabeu and caused controversy with his play-acting antics in the same series of four Clasico clashes with Barca's eternal enemy.
In pure football terms, however, Alves has confirmed his status as the best right-back in the game, adding a different dimension to Barca's play under Guardiola. He endured a difficult Copa America campaign, failing to impress in the opening two games and losing his place as Mano Menezes' side crashed out in the quarter-finals, but many of the game's biggest stars, including his Barca team-mate Messi, flattered to deceive in the continental competition.
Feeling undervalued by Barca, Alves was seriously considering his future earlier on in the campaign, claiming through the press that he felt his club should appreciate him more. A new deal was finally agreed, however, and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta expressed his delight, saying: "He plays with an intensity that has nothing to do with tactics but is more about spirit. Alves has everything. We have looked at the market and there is nobody like him, he’s unique in his position."
It's a fair assessment: there is indeed nobody like Alves in his position - and Barca fans will be very happy to have him charging down the flank for the next four seasons. Numancia seems a long time ago now.
| Bet: | Returns: | Argentina £24.50 | Draw £32.50 | Brazil £26.00 |
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Barcelona's disappointing defeat at promoted side Numancia on August 31, 2008 seemed a forgettable occasion for Blaugrana fans at the time, but it marked the beginning of the most memorable era in the Catalan club's modern history. Pep Guardiola made his domestic debut as Barca coach that night, surviving the sorry Soria showing to seal an historic treble of La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey titles, the first steps on the way to building one of the most successful teams of all time.
And one of the key members of that team has a story which runs parallel to Pep's trajectory as coach of the Catalan club. That player also debuted at Numancia and has since gone on to become the finest exponent of his position in the world. That player is Dani Alves.
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"Dani brings us a special dynamic, physique, and skills, but most of all it's the way he can change a game. He has everything." - Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta
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Before moving to Barcelona, Alves starred in the superb Sevilla side that won back-to-back Uefa Cups in 2006 and 2007. Never a prolific goalscorer but always chipping in with several strikes each season, the Brazilian represented the Andalusians' principal attacking threat - despite operating as a right-back.
Alves accumulated 19 and 18 assists, respectively, in his last two seasons in the south of Spain, and has continued in the same vein at Camp Nou, racking up a career best total of 20 in 54 appearances last term.
| MOMENT OF THE SEASON |
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| LA LIGA BARCELONA 2-1 GETAFE |
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| Alves struck a sweet half-volley from with the outside of his right boot, which curled into the corner and set Barca on their way an important victory in March. In the celebration, he flexed his muscles and kissed his tattooed bicep in front of the approving Camp Nou crowd. |
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At the end of his second season, Dani was part of the Barca side that saw their hopes of retaining the Champions League go up in smoke with a semi-final defeat against Inter, who would go on to win the competition. He also watched Inter rival and compatriot Maicon take the plaudits as he was voted club defender of the year by Uefa and named in Fifa's World XI for the season. And Maicon's form saw Alves' path to the right-back spot blocked for Brazil as well, with the Inter star also finding his way into the All-star team at last summer's World Cup.
A year on, however, and the roles have been reversed. While Maicon's star is falling, Alves' ascent shows no signs of stalling. The Barca right-back plays high up the pitch for Guardiola's side, operating as an unorthodox winger and supporting the attack; Alves has formed glorious associations with both Lionel Messi and Pedro on the right. Blessed with pace, power, strength, excellent technical ability and a fierce shot, the Brazilian is the complete modern player.
A return of four goals and 20 assists in 54 games from full-back is testament to that, although question marks remain over the Brazilian's solidity in defence. Alves clumsily conceded a penalty to Marcelo - even though the latter apparently later told him he had dived - against Real Madrid in early April at the Santiago Bernabeu and caused controversy with his play-acting antics in the same series of four Clasico clashes with Barca's eternal enemy.
In pure football terms, however, Alves has confirmed his status as the best right-back in the game, adding a different dimension to Barca's play under Guardiola. He endured a difficult Copa America campaign, failing to impress in the opening two games and losing his place as Mano Menezes' side crashed out in the quarter-finals, but many of the game's biggest stars, including his Barca team-mate Messi, flattered to deceive in the continental competition.
| "In pure football terms, Alves has confirmed his status as the best right-back in the world, adding a different dimension to Barca's play under Pep Guardiola." |
Feeling undervalued by Barca, Alves was seriously considering his future earlier on in the campaign, claiming through the press that he felt his club should appreciate him more. A new deal was finally agreed, however, and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta expressed his delight, saying: "He plays with an intensity that has nothing to do with tactics but is more about spirit. Alves has everything. We have looked at the market and there is nobody like him, he’s unique in his position."
It's a fair assessment: there is indeed nobody like Alves in his position - and Barca fans will be very happy to have him charging down the flank for the next four seasons. Numancia seems a long time ago now.
Goal.com Poll
Poll runs from 9 Aug 2011 to 10 Aug 2011
Poll runs from 9 Aug 2011 to 10 Aug 2011
Do you agree with Dani Alves' ranking?
Just right
38.51%
Too high
35.75%
Too low
25.73%
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