author: Sid Lowe
source: The Guardian
date: 26 January 2009
editing: fcbtransfers.blogspot.com
Madrid didn't want him, Liverpool didn't want him enough, and Chelsea wouldn't pay for him. After all, they reasoned, he's only a full-back.
Forget dark and brooding or squeaky-clean: he doesn't do adverts, has a cheeky grin rather than a winning smile, a wife not a WAG, and couldn't pout if his life depended on it. He came to Europe for a million euros, isn't the outstanding man for his club, doesn't play regularly for his country, and didn't get a single vote at the Fifa World player awards. Not even from the representative from Guam.
But don't let that fool you. Because Dani Alves is still the world's best player. Well, maybe not the best. That's Leo Messi. And that's also the point. Because while in Brazil they giggled at the unlikeliest of metrosexuals, commenting more on the six tubs of facial cream Alves had confiscated at the airport than the six touches he had on the pitch last time he travelled thousands of miles for a handful of international minutes, while he got ignored by Fifa's judges and France Football's correspondents and while, above all, the eulogies fall on the unbelievably brilliant Messi, Alves has built a case to be considered the world's second best player.
From right-back. And right-wing. And just about everywhere else. Roman Abramovich decided €30m was too much for a defender but Alves is not just a defender. He's a one-man band. He offers killer passes and crunching tackles: a screeching lunatic kid, perfect technician, tactical genius and - let's face it - sneaky little cheat, all wrapped into one hyperactive ball.
You've got to love him. Or least you would have to if you weren't so busy loving Leo. Take this weekend. It was the first game of the season's second half and Barcelona had broken more records than anyone: more points than any other team ever, the biggest lead ever, and the best debutant coach in Pep Guardiola.
Something, though, was missing. And not just defeat for Madrid, who scraped another win off Raúl's ear. Barcelona sought revenge on Numancia, the only side to beat them. They also sought reassurance after the sinister shadow that saw off Ramón Calderón cast a cloud over Catalunya. Florentino Pérez, said Marca, would soon make a comeback – with Messi under his arm.
So, when Messi scored the opener for a struggling Barça with a clever flick four minutes into the second half, they breathed a sigh of relief. When he kissed the Barcelona badge, they went all gooey. When he scored another, provided an assist and was denied a hat-trick by the bar, leading them in a brilliant 45 minutes that finished 4-1 and eclipsed a ropey first in which, but for the ref, they would have been trailing, they were doing cartwheels. And when he insisted he'd "never leave", they were dancing through a summer meadow.
Messi was brilliant again. But amid the dreamy eulogies, another decisive performance from Alves went relatively unnoticed. The Brazilian is the only consistent starter who wasn't there last season when they finished 18 points behind Madrid. Now they are 12 ahead. That's not to say he's responsible but his contribution has been colossal. He's buried the mistaken belief that Barça need defenders who defend and has brought dynamism, bite and desire, helping inject life into a moribund mob.
In September, Alves insisted he wouldn't be the Sevilla Alves. Under Guardiola's guidance, he's been better - and he was pretty good before. It's no coincidence he's played more minutes than anyone else or that Barcelona's right wing has delivered three times as many goals as the left, with the full-back providing 10 assists. Not just any assists either, key assists.
For all their collective brilliance, Barcelona have been accused of Messi-dependency. But who wouldn't depend on him? And, besides, Messi's not alone. He might be just a right-back, he might not be glamorous and he might not even be the best player in the team, but right now Daniel Alves might just be the second best player in the world.
read the full and original article here
Read more:
Barcelona Is Winning With Style
Barcelona's home-field advantage explained
Why are Barcelona scoring so many goals?
Tuesday 27 January 2009
Alves second best player in the world
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9 comments:
OMG this was some heavy stuff. Alves is really a 3 in 1 pack. We did the best buy ever...I just hope that Dunga puts his head out of his ass and starts playing Alves instead of Maicon in the Selecao...Viva Alves Viva Barca and Viva Brasil and Bahia!!!! Forca Alves keep upp the great work
This guy is a genius. He is like a Ronaldinho Right back with the heart of a Puyol :P He is an entire right wing by himself ... kinda reminds me of a young Javier Zanetti but with better dribbling, crossing, technique amd shooting! Best buy last year :D He is only 25 and will onlt get better ... He can play until 37 easy ( knock on wood no serious injuries in his career).I think under Barcelona he improved his defence and tactical game so Maicon should be scared and Dunga should finally start him.
Dani Alves is the best right back in the world, no questions asked. He was worth every penny. when barca's doctors did his medical, they said he was in exceptional health which partly explains he abundance of energy.
If i remember correctly he said in an interview that the only time he feels tired is when he plays with his kids. We need to get those kids into the barca academy. LOL.
LOL, good point barca4life. Anybody have any info on that bit on him not doing ads ? "Forget dark and brooding or squeaky-clean: he doesn't do adverts"
does he really spurn sponsorship deals ??
He has a wife not a WAG...
LOL
...that's why i voted for him as the man of the match against numancia...never had doubts on him...but i'm surely not alone with that...every words for him are unnecessary...his game speaks for itself...ONE LOVE!!!!!
This guy is walking GOLD!!!
I must admit that he was my favorite players from Sevilla and he did a wondefull job there also.
It was a joyfull to follow him witn Navas on the right wing.
And now he is with Barca.
Unbelevieble.
I don't mind Maicon to play instead of him, because i am always worry about injuries when our players are on the national gemes.
Didn't I tell you all at the start of the season he would probably be a bargain at 30 million considering his age and proven ability in La Liga. One player doesn't make a team but Alves isn't selfish and works very hard. Where Zambrotta failed, Alves has flourished. He and Messi have gelled brilliantly on the right side and deserve the praise. We just need to guard against complaincency and fight hard for every game. Our biggest challenge will be ourselves not the opposition.
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