Dani Alves has announced his decision to stay and work under Luis Enrique despite claiming that he is not getting the respect which he has deserved for his displays for Barcelona since joining from Sevilla back in 2008.
The player was booed by a majority of the Barcelona fans before the Joan Gamper Trophy against Club Leon in which new signing Luis Suarez made his first appearance for the club as a late substitute in a 6-0 win.
The Brazilian right-back has been heavily linked with a move away from the Nou Camp in the summer with the player himself admitting that he could exit the club.
However, the 31-year-old revealed in a press conference that he will remain at the club to see out his contract which has two year remaining.”
“I have decided to stay here with Barca,” he said. “The day will come when I have to go but I would like to leave with the feeling that I have been a great professional here. If I would leave right now, I would not be going with that feeling.”
“I have grown accustomed to the fact that people will talk about me but that criticism motivates me because it forces me to improve”
“I’ve earned the right to be respected and I haven’t felt that I have had support when I have had to defend myself in the face of everything that comes out in the press. I wasn’t feeling backed up by anyone when that was happening. I had information that I was on the transfer list and the club wanted to bring other people in.210
“When I was questioned on my return to Barcelona, I made it clear that I first needed to discuss it with Luis Enrique. It’s a pleasure to work with someone like Luis Enrique because he demands a lot from us and that is what inspires me.”
“We have to work well and be demanding of ourselves because we have great challenges to look forward to this season. I needed to feel assured that he counts on me because we’ll be working with each other for the whole of next season.”