Brazilian right-back Daniel Alves has established himself as one of the best players in the world in his position since arriving at Camp Nou in 2008. He wondered aloud about what would have happened, had he decided to join Real Madrid instead.
Alves switched from La Liga side Sevilla to Barca in a 30 million euro move. In the 8 subsequent years at Camp Nou, he has been an integral part in a team that has won five La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns, amidst other accolades.
But the Brazilian defender recently spoke on what could have been, saying that his deal to Real Madrid was ‘almost done’ before fate intervened.
“In life, people move on their interests and even more when money is an issue.” the 32-year-old claimed, when speaking about Neymar’s future at the club to Spanish radio station Onda Cero. [via: fourfourtwo.com]
“I never hid my move to Real Madrid was almost done … my fate changed and I arrived at Barcelona instead.”
The missing link
If Alves had made a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, he could have been just the man Los Blancos needed to complete one of the best defensive lines in football. Real already have his compatriot Marcelo at left-back, while the trio of Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane form the core of the defence. There hasn’t been a player who has made the right back slot his own in the past couple of seasons though.
Danilo and Dani Carvajal are the current top right-backs at Madrid, but none of them have shown enough skill to hold a candle against Alves. Madrid would probably have relished the chance to sign up the missing link to their team back in 2008, but Barca won that battle and have reaped the benefits as 32-year-old Alves sees out the twilight of his career at Camp Nou.
