38 years. 17 seasons in the elite -Spain, Italy and France- between its beginnings and possibly its end in Brazil. Dani Alves still raises the band in the minds of Barça fans. Also in that of some Sevilla fans. Nobody occupied the right lane like him. No winger was so transcendent on the offensive plane. None. And now, with his apparent retreat around the corner, Alves is holy and well, he is the captain and the figure of Olympic Brazil in the next Tokyo Games … will it be Dani Alves’ last dance?
He has played two World Cups, four American Cups and two Confederations Cup, amn of other final phases in lower categories. Nobody has won as much as he has in the history of football. No one. They are 41 titles in 20 seasons. Only the World Cup resists him at the national level. A World Cup and a medal at the Games. And for that he goes to Tokyo.
The coach, Andr Jardine, is only three years older than Alves. But it is clear to him. The winger is the perfect leader to try to revalidate Ro’s gold. “He is a leader, a winner, he has a lot of charisma, he is very respected by all Brazilian players. He is a great example for this generation of players that we have. And, curiously, he had never competed in the Olympic Games, so we thought he was the perfect marriage. He is going to be an example on the squad and a leader on the field of play. And if we think of a player who wants to be a champion … he has such a record so full of titles for a reason.
His reaction couldn’t have been more revealing. “His eyes lit up. It’s a symbol of selection,” recalls Jardine.
However, Alves is much more ambitious. For something it exhibits an unparalleled palmars. The winger intends to take the gold in Tokyo … and win the World Cup next year in Qatar. Let’s see who dares to contradict him.
Brazil will debut in Tokyo on July 22 in Yokohama against Germany, precisely the rival they beat in the final of Rio de Janeiro 2016. Paired in Group D, then they will face Ivory Coast on July 25 in Yokohama and Saudi Arabia. Saud on July 28 in Saitama. To be the beginning of the ninth adventure of Dani Alves. Fireproof, competitive, eternal. At 38, the Games are his next challenge to meet, but it will surely not be the last.