Juventus-bound Dani Alves has written an open letter to Barcelona as it’s confirmed he is to leave the club this summer.
It was on Thursday said by sporting director Robert Fernandez that the right-back is to exercise a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for free, and Alves used his Instagram account to say thank you to Barca, his teammates and coaches past and present, and the fans and employees of La Blaugrana.
“In one month it will be eight years since my arrival at Barcelona. In July 2008 I entered this club for the first time and occupied the locker room in which I have lived the most important accomplishments of my career,” he wrote, Sport reports.
“From day one, from the first training session under the orders of Pep Guardiola, until the last of this last season, I have had the fortune to passionately enjoy my football. I have tens, hundreds, of images recorded in my mind of moments shared with you at Camp Nou, on the pitch of the world’s great stadiums, in the streets of Barcelona…many goal celebrations, happiness in the form of trophies.
“I’m privileged, a hard-working footballer and honoured, for life has allowed me to wear the shirt of the best club in the world in a prodigious decade for the quality its players and coaches.
“I could mention one by one all the extraordinary people with whom I have had the pleasure of overcoming challenges and difficulties in the many ways that have been presented throughout this time, but I prefer to give a collective thanks because in the Barca locker room there is no room for individuality. We all win, we all lose. And we work together.
“And we all sail the ship, Presidents, Coaches, coaching staff, people who work at the club…all of them, thank you very much because I have been rewarded for my efforts with their trust and support.
“I don’t say goodbye with this letter. I just want to let you know that I made the decision to seek a new challenge in my career, because eras – even those which are beautiful and glorious – have to start, be enjoyed and finish at the right time. And this is my time. I’m going, but I will be back, because I’m another Cule. Thank you for making me feel so loved.”
