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Source: Barça Osasuna
| Full Name | Daniel Alves de Silva |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 6th May, 1983 |
| Place of Birth | Juazeiro, Brazil |
| Height | 1.73 m |
| Nationality | Brazilian, Spanish |
| Playing Position | Right Back |
KICK OFF
There has been a tectonic shift in the style of football as played these days in Brazil compared to what it was few decades back.. This has been exemplified by the likes of Dani Alves who is continuing the tradition as set by Cafu and Roberto Carlos during their heydays in the 80s and 90s. In Dani we have a quick overlapping rightback who is known for his great darting runs down the right flank causing many a flutter in the rival camps. A quintessential Brazilian story of the road to success riding on soccer skills after making a start from a very humble background, Dani’s story is indeed a stuff dreams are made of.
HIS-STORY
Dani was born in Juazeiro, a small city in the state of Bahia, Brazil to father Domingos Alves Da Silva, an agriculturist in May ‘83. He was recognized as a footballing talent very early. Dani played football with his brothers and other boys and was soon drafted in the local football team started by his dad in Juazeiro. Making his professional debut for Esporte Clube Bahia in a match against Parana Clube, for the 2001 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Dani was instrumental in providing two assists and winning a penalty for the other goal in a match which Bahia won 3-0. Very soon, Dani got transferred to Sevilla FC initially on loan in 2002.
True to his self Dani skill and guile was on display for everyone to see and before long Dani was a regular in the Seville line up with the contract being renewed in 2006. He made many hearts bleed when he announced his move to Barcelona FC in 2008 in a deal which made him the most expensive defender in the world. Of course, for the last five years his exploits had made him a darling at Camp Nou. He got his first international outing in a friendly against Ecuador in 2006 though it was against Kuwait that he made his debut for Brazil. Dani took part in the 2007 Copa América, where he played in four matches including the final against Argentina, scoring a goal in a memorable 3–0 victory. Equally memorable are his goals against South Africa in 2009 Confederation Cup and a one against Iran.
SCORE CARD
Dani’s cabinet is overflowing with trophies that he and the legendary Barca have won. With four La Liga titles 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2012-13 under his belt along with UEFA Champions League in 2008-09, 2010-11, he also won the Copa America in 2007, FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009 and 2011 for Brazil. Dani has made it a habit to feature in the various UEFA ‘Team of the year’ on multiple occasions.
EXTRA TIME
Although he has been dubbed Mr Weird occasionally for his unconventional skills but it can be safely assumed that the tiki-taka at Barca only gets started once Dani commences with his darting runs on the right flank.
Dani was married to the Brazilian beauty Dinora Santana in 2008 till 2012 when the couple separated. They are blessed with two adorable kids, Daniel and Vitoria. Since 29 September 2011, Dani has been playing the role of a Special Olympics Ambassador for its Global Football program, aimed at promoting respect and inclusion in football for those with intellectual disabilities.
OFFSIDE
Dani caused a furore when he blasted the Barcelona team management for the allegedly murky deal surrounding Brazilian superstar Neymar worth 57 million Euros slamming the subsequent investigations as “disrespectful”. Dani is generally known to be a quiet, pious and a forthright footballer who tends to keep his private life away from the media glare.
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