Former Barcelona right-back Dani Alves has opened about his time at Barcelona, claiming that he only left the club because they were disrespectful to him. The 33-year-old Brazilian also expressed his true feelings about Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, believing that the media twisted his words in such a way that the Portugese even snubbed him at the 2015 Baloon D'Or gala in 2015.
Alves who won 23 titles during his time with the Catalan giants left them for Serie A side Juventus after an eight-year association during which he made 391 appearances. However, the Brazilian was not very happy with the club's directors or the 'Men in Suits', who he felt were very disrespectful and did not know how to run a club.
"During my last three seasons I always heard that ˜Alves was leaving', but the managers never said anything to me. They were very false and ungrateful. They did not respect me", Alves said, asquoted by ABC.
Dani Alves on his exit from FC Barcelona
These are sad times for Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/ZphGSjwNkH
"I was only offered to renew when the FIFA transfer ban came in. That was when I went and signed a deal with a termination clause.Those who run Barcelona today have no idea how to treat their players."
The right-back also stressed that he always respected Ronaldo, and it was the press who twisted his words and that he is a fan of the Portugese player.
"All my fights with Cristiano were because of the press. If people only knew how much I respect Cristiano Ronaldo. I will repeat it to make myself clear: I respect Cristiano Ronaldo.When I spoke about him being too selfish, when you win you are going to be the star but when you lose they will go for you, so I said it in a very respectful way."
Dani Alves slams 'ungrateful' Barcelona for his exit after eight years at the club https://t.co/iHRzegByQB pic.twitter.com/B8EFlzco80
"What happens is that the press portrayed them differently, saying that I had spoken ill of him.And Ronaldo believed it. That's why he did not greet me at the Ballon d'Or gala in 2015. I do not need to talk about anyone to go out in the newspapers. I have no ego", the Brazilian added.