The Brazilian has revealed that the Argentine
argued that the right-back would not be able to
find a better club than the Blaugrana
Dani Alves has revealed that Lionel Messi played a
key role in his decision to stay at Barcelona .
The Brazil international looked set to leave Camp
Nou on a free transfer this summer, with the
defender having been upset by the terms and
length of the contract extension he was initially
offered by the Catalan club.
However, the former Sevilla star agreed a new two-
year deal with Barca on Tuesday, with the option of
a third season, and the right-back explained that
Messi had convinced him to commit his future to
the treble-winners.
"Messi said to me: 'Dani, stay, where you are
going to feel better than you do here?'" the Selecao
ace told reporters on Wednesday.
"Long ago we talked about how well we were living
at this club. We have wonderful things in this city,
gorgeous weather, and all of this influenced our
decisions.
"Messi and I had the same conversation a year ago
when it was said someone wanted to sign the two
of us and we discussed that we would never have
it so good anywhere else.
"As I said at the treble celebration [on Sunday],
and as I said many times before, I'm just in the
place where I feel loved.
"For a few moments I had doubts but the other
day it was very clear that most people here love
me and value me, and that was one of the things
that made me decide to stay.
"I always follow my heart. My heart was asking me
to stay here and I still have many things to offer.
"I have the best group of colleagues, I have never
seen a group with such connection and that helped
in making the decision.
"A number of positive factors that have led me to
make this decision."
Indeed, Dani Alves also revealed that his future
had also been linked with that of coach Luis
Enrique, who extended his contract with Barca until
2017 on the same day.
"Luis Enrique has been someone who selected me
when there were people who doubted about me,"
the 32-year-old stated.
"At the beginning of the season when I was
thinking about staying or going, he said something
to me at the end of a game that left a real
impression on me
"He said, 'Dani, stay because we are going to enjoy
this year.'
"Luis Enrique has influenced my decision because I
like working with people of his nature. I see myself
in him.
"I also renewed because Luis Enrique renewed. He
has returned this club to the highest level.
"He has given us the hope and the possibility to
get the treble and fight for the sextet!
"I think his renewal is well deserved. Our success
has so much to do with him.
"People doubted him too but he and his staff have
put Barca back on top."
Dan Alves also denied that the protracted and
sometimes bitter nature of his contract talks have
negatively affected his relationship with Barca
president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
“It was not a fight between Dani Alves and the
club," he added. "It was not a question of financial
considerations. If it were only a matter of money, I
would not still be here.
"I followed my heart and my heart told me that I
had to stay at this club.
“I do not have a bad relationship with the
president. On the contrary, I have a very good
relationship but everyone tries to defend their
rights, and it was just a process of negotiation.
"They offered me one thing and I did not want it. I
asked one thing and they did not give it to me.
"But at the end we reached a compromise. I now
have a two-year contract and will do whatever is
needed to continue for a the third year.
"Next year will be better than this one and retiring
at Barca is a possibility."
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