Barcelona defender Dani Alves has revealed how much he loves playing Real Madrid, rating the Clasico second only to a Cup final.
Alves told GoIT that the Clasico provides a stage for the greatest players to show their worth, and added he even enjoyed the period two years ago when Madrid and Barca played each other repeatedly in close succession.
“A Clasico is the best game you can play, not counting Cup finals,” Alves said.
“When you really like football it’s the most desired game. When you play football professionally, the Clasico is the best game to play and I can’t wait,” he added.
“I was happy, delighted [in 2011-12 when Madrid and Barca played in the Champions League semi-final and the Copa del Rey semi-final] because the game I like was repeated four or five times.
“You have to make the most of it. We know everyone is watching. That’s why you have to concentrate. We know there are plenty of people watching who think they can do better.
“[The 6-2 win at Santiago Bernabeu] was a historic game for the supporters. But it was worth three points, like if we’d won 1-0.
“That was for the fans. What we gained winning 6-2 at the Bernabeu was worth three points for me.”
Alves went on to say that it is winning that matters to him, not making history.
“I’m one who doesn’t say anything by halves. Getting through to the next round doesn’t mean anything to me,” he continued.
“The titles that I get or the medals and cup replicas I have in my house say it all. The rest doesn’t matter to me.”
Alves also said that the challenge of competing with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo is what keeps him going.
“To me, it’s what motivates me, to compete against the best and not play against someone inferior.
“What moves me about my job is when I face the best, because I’ve prepared so much to face the best.
“If I didn’t face the best I wouldn’t be at Barcelona, I’d be at my home-town team instead.”
