Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 7y

PSG's Dani Alves: Juventus did not understand my style of play

Paris Saint-Germain defender Dani Alves says his former club Juventus did not understand his footballing philosophy during his sole season in Serie A.

Alves, 34, joined Juve in 2016 from Barcelona and helped them win a Serie A and Coppa Italia double last season, while reaching the final of the Champions League.

However, the Brazil international went on to swap Juve for PSG this summer and he says that the Turin-based club did not fully allow him to play his natural game.

"I'm a footballer who loves to play with the ball and with the team, and risk making some skillful moves," he is quoted as saying by Fox Sports. "I think that Juventus didn't understand my style of play and this did not allow me to be happy."

Alves reached an agreement for his Juve contract to be terminated prematurely, enabling him to join PSG.

"I wanted a new experience; a new adventure," he said. "That doesn't take anything away from the fact I will always be grateful to Juventus. Here in Paris I feel good and I am certainly freer."

Alves links up again with former Barcelona teammate and fellow Brazilian Neymar, who he has again said was a key factor in his decision to move to the French capital.

"He played an important role in my transfer from Juventus to PSG," he said. "The lad has become a man and has made an important choice, and this convinced me."

Alves made 19 appearances in Serie A and missed just one of Juve's 13 Champions League fixtures, starting the other 12, including the final.

^ Back to Top ^