- Title: SOCCER-SPAIN/ALVES Dani Alves agrees two-year Barca contract extension
- Date: 10th June 2015
- Summary: DANI ALVES ON STAGE TAKING MICROPHONE AND ADDRESSING FANS ARGENTINE STRIKER LIONEL MESSI AND BRAZILIAN STRIKER NEYMAR AND OTHER TEAMMATES LOOKING ON AS DANI ALVES SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCELONA RIGHT BACK, DANI ALVES, SAYING: "I don't know how long this dream will last, I don't know if the we have reached the end, (audi of fans saying "no"). I don't know how long it will last but let it be eternal while it lasts. I have been happy here, I am happy here and if I am not here, I will be happy here because I am one of you. They (points at team), have made me feel like one of you. Thanks very much. Long live Barca, long live Catalonia and long live the mother that bread all of them." ALVES CELEBRATING WITH TEAM
- Embargoed: 25th June 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Spain
- Country: Spain
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA7V515T5EAVGFQEFM3SN5RERDH
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Barcelona defender Dani Alves said on Wednesday (June 10) he followed his heart when he agreed to a two-year contract extension.
The Brazilian has agreed to stay in Barcelona to the end of the 2016-17 season, it was announced on Tuesday (June 9).
"There were moments I had my doubts but it became clear (during Champions League celebrations) that people like me, most people value me and my work and that was one the things that made me decide to stay," he said at a news conference on Wednesday. "I have always said that I follow my heart and I want it to be for that that I get it right or wrong."
Dani Alves, a Brazil international, joined Barca from Sevilla in 2008 and has played a key role in a golden period of the Catalan club, winning 19 trophies including three Champions Leagues, five La Liga titles and three King's Cups.
The agreement includes an option for a further one year extension.
The 32-year-old has made 343 appearances and is one of seven players who won a treble of Europe's elite club competition and the domestic league and Cup in both 2008-09 and again in 2014-15.
One of the most popular members of the squad and a close friend of Argentina forward Lionel Messi, Alves will face stiff competition for his place at right back after Barca signed Aleix Vidal from Sevilla on Sunday.
Alves said he had been encouraged to stay by Messi.
"He said to me, "Stay Dani, where else are you going to be better off than here?" Alves told journalists. "Some time ago we had talked about how well we live in this club, in a marvellous city that satisfies all our needs, spectacular weather. All this also influences a decision," Alves added saying they had had the same conversation they had on Sunday a year ago when there were rumours he and Messi would be moving on from Barcelona.
Spain international Vidal will, however, be unable to play until January as Barca have been banned by FIFA from the transfer market until then over irregularities in the signing of foreign under-18 players.
During Barcelona's celebrations of their Champions League victory at the Nou Camp on Sunday (June 7), Alves was overwhelmed with emotion when he took the stage and tens of thousands of fans yelled in unison,"Stay, stay!". - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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