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Will Barcelona legend retire as a Culé after 3-year hiatus from club?

By Chiranjib Ghosh

BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 22: Dani Alves of FC Barcelona looks on during the warm-up prior to the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Camp Nou on November 22, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. Lionel Messi beat the number of goal in the Spanish La Liga of Telmo Zarra scoring his 252nd goal. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 22: Dani Alves of FC Barcelona looks on during the warm-up prior to the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Camp Nou on November 22, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. Lionel Messi beat the number of goal in the Spanish La Liga of Telmo Zarra scoring his 252nd goal. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona could bring Dani Alves back to the Camp Nou

When Dani Alves left Barcelona to the dismay of fans and management alike, the right-back spot in the first-team was primed for a historic overhaul. After frantic experimentation, Luis Enrique picked Sergi Roberto as the successor to the veteran Brazil international.

The La Masia graduate has warmed to the role, and has made it his own with consistent displays and a good sync with both Ivan Rakitić and Lionel Messi. Nélson Semedo was also brought in from Benfica to act as a backup, and both the players have brought some stability.

But Alves could return to Barça the same way he left, by stirring things up. The 36-year old legendary right-back has announced that he will be leaving Paris Saint-Germain this summer, after 2 seasons with the Ligue 1 champions.

He has made himself available for Barça to sign, after a 3-year hiatus away from the Camp Nou. Alves will a free agent soon, and would be relatively easy to sign. But there are two reasons why the Barça management will decide against bringing him back.

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The main reason for Alves’ departure is thought to be his disagreements with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu. Soon after he joined Juventus, he started criticising the club management in an unfriendly manner. This has drawn the ire of Bartomeu.

Bartomeu is unlikely to sign a high-profile club legend who will vehemently oppose his authority as president. This feud is reminiscent of the old Núñez days, when the world’s best players left Barça after having disagreements with Núñez.

Also, Alves’ signing will mean that Sergi Roberto will have to be moved into a midfield which is already overcrowded. There is a lot of talent in the Barça midfield, and Roberto will find it difficult to find playing time.

Alves will also not last more than a season as a member of the first-team, and such a dramatic shake-up for a single season is not warranted for a club like Barça. So, Barcelona are highly unlikely to re-sign Dani Alves despite the fact that he is a huge fan favourite.

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So, at this point, it looks unlikely that Alves will retire at the club where he found unprecedented success.