Brazil’s Dani Alves feels the ‘butterflies’ ahead of kick-off
BRA IL full back Dani Alves sees Thursday’s Olympic opener with Germany as a special game despite all he has achieved in a glorious football career.
“Although I have a lot of experience, I have butterflies in the stomach,” the 38-yearold said. “It is really a special feeling to be here.”
Alves played with Sevilla, Barcelona, uventus and Paris Saint-Germain before returning home to Sao Paulo. He has won multiple domestic honours in addition to three Champions Leagues and two Copa Americas in more than 100 caps for Brazil.
Coach Andre ardine is also relishing the clash which is a repeat of the 2016 final Brazil won at the home Games in Rio de aneiro.
“It’s a classic,” he said. “Both teams have a lot of respect for each other, I expect a difficult game.”
Led by Alves, Brazil will be fun to watch on and off the pitch despite the absence of eymar with a constellation of young and exciting stars set to shine like Gabriel Menino, Reinier, Malcom, Richarlison, Paulinho, and Matheus Cunha.
The team is composed of under-24 players with three ‘overage’ players allowed in each squad one of them Dani Alves.
He might be one of the most decorated footballers in the history of the game having won 52 titles, but his passion to play stays undimmed and his desire to win more burns bright.
“Today is another unforgettable day in my life,” he posted when he found out he was included in the Brazil squad , “being called up to represent my country and with the responsibility of defending an Olympic medal is indescribable.”