Soccer

Barcelona confirm departure of Dani Alves

The right-back is the most successful defender in the history of football

Brazil’s Dani Alves has told Barcelona he intends to leave the club, the Spanish champions have confirmed. Photo: Getty Images
Brazil’s Dani Alves has told Barcelona he intends to leave the club, the Spanish champions have confirmed. Photo: Getty Images
Thu Jun 02 2016 - 13:55

Barcelona have announced long-serving Brazilian right-back Dani Alves will leave the club this summer.

The 33-year-old has 12 months left on his contract but has asked to leave and has been linked with both Juventus and Manchester United.

Barcelona technical director Robert Fernandez said in a press conference, according to the club’s Twitter feed: “Dani Alves has decided to leave. It’s a personal decision that we respect.

“At right-back we have confidence in Aleix Vidal, he was signed for that reason. We also have Sergi Roberto.”

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Alves has been a regular for Barcelona since joining from Sevilla in 2008. He helped them to the domestic league, cup and Champions League treble in 2014/15 and won another Spanish league title in the season just ended.

Fernandez also insisted Argentina utility man Javier Mascherano and Brazil forward Neymar would be staying at the Nou Camp despite speculation linking them with moves away this summer.