MEXICO’S PUMAS ON Saturday signed Dani Alves after the veteran Brazilian defender left Barcelona for a second time.
The 39-year-old, regarded by many as the most successful player in history, had re-joined Barca in November but confirmed last month that he would not be extending his contract.
The international star signed before the cameras after a medical that Pumas president Leopoldo Silva said had gone “very well”.
Alves said that he wanted to “leave a legacy for younger people so that they can keep fighting for what they dream of, because here is living proof that everything in this life is possible”.
“I come from a small town where people want to win,” he added, explaining his decision to join the Pumas, who are linked to the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
“Soccer has transformed my life and I want it to continue transforming the lives of many people, and that’s why I accepted the challenge of coming to the Pumas,” he said.
Alves joins Argentine attackers Gustavo del Prete and Eduardo Salvio who have also signed with the seven-time Liga MX champions.
Alves made 408 appearances in total for Barcelona, with 391 of those coming in his first spell from 2008-2016.
During that initial stint, he won six La Liga titles, three Champions League crowns and four Copa del Rey trophies.
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I wouldn’t bet on him playing for Real next season just yet .
@Limón Madrugada: I agree, defiantly not in the league games unless he really seems to prosper. Vinicius I feel was played too often and too fast this season too. He needs to work on his finishing
If I was going to start playing for Real Madrid I’d probably be vomiting too. Despicable club with the most ungrateful supporters.
@Vinny O’Shaughnessy: this statement is completely false. Every club has a small number of toxic supporters but that’s just football. Compared to other teams we aren’t too bad. Look at serie-A fans calling black players monkeys and so on. Yes some fans fail to show respect to club legends but that’s a common trait in Spain. Barcelona fans, Atletico fans etc are the same
@Claire Con: all well and good to point the finger but Real Madrid fans have also racially abused black opposition player, Dembele got it in El Clásico in February. But we both know that the commenter was referring to the amount of abuse and booing Real fans give their own players at the earliest sign of any problem.
@Dave O Keeffe: just not true.
@Claire Con: in fairness he said ungrateful fans
@Vinny O’Shaughnessy: cheap shot. Jealousy no doubt. What’s your club won this decade so far???
@Dave O Keeffe: and like I said, unfortunately fans like that exist everywhere. In fairness it isn’t as regular of an occurrence like in Italy (thank God) but unfortunately Spanish fans tend to be aggressive.
@Kieran Fogarty: in fairness he called the club despicable. Not the most accurate comment when you compare the club to others.
@Claire Con: Mbappe
@Limón Madrugada: several sources, including Dembele himself.
@Claire Con: except you specifically singled out serie A fans for racism as a defense of Madrid fans. In no way am I saying it’s just Madrid. It’s pretty prevalent in Spain.
@Dave O Keeffe: I wasn’t necessarily singling our anyone. I simply mean that this isn’t an irregular occurrence in serie A games. Literally something happens every game.