South American Futbol - Libertadores, Sudamericana, World Cup 2010

Interview: Dani is up to the task of Visiting Daniel Alves, the star Brazilian player for Sevilla

The unexpected European squad. Easy. This is Sevilla FC. Even though the Andalusian powerhouse wasted a fantastic opportunity to reclaim the top spot in La Liga last Sunday, the Sevillistas remain a major contender to win the Spanish title, besting stalwarts Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Valencia.


Sevilla’s devoted team is made up of top-notch players from head to toe, but Brazilian defender Daniel Alves stands out. He has excelled this year, building on a year in which he won MVP while leading Sevilla to the team’s unexpected UEFA Cup victory, its first-ever European trophy.


The 23-year-old is keen to continue establishing himself with the Brazilian national team and isn’t content to rest on his laurels. Instead, he wants more. He is destined for bigger things and is widely considered the top right back in the world. I recently spoke with the renowned Brazilian only a few days before Sevilla’s crucial UEFA Cup encounter against Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine.


Q: Sevilla is having a fantastic season, according to SouthAmericanFutbol.com. What have the club’s key advantages been?


Daniel Alves: I believe the effort we made. The group performs well together. We never take a break and always work to go forward. The fact that our supporters are behind us is more important than the fact that we have fantastic players. We have the support of everyone in the club, which enhances our performance.


Q: Do you possess the necessary skills to win the league?


Daniel Alves: It’s obvious that the championship is up for grabs. Without a doubt, we’ll battle for it. Coming up, we have some challenging road games against Real Madrid and Valencia. We are well aware of the fact that we stand a decent chance of winning the league. We are now in the first place and are hopeful of taking first place.


Q: Over the past few seasons, Sevilla has surprised many. What has the club accomplished that it hasn’t in the past?


Daniel Alves: I believe the club has expanded greatly. It had been a very long time since the club had last won a trophy until we won our first international championship last year. We have come a long way and must continue to advance. We have been consistent this season. We’re hoping to take home the league title. That will be the cherry on top, in my opinion.


Q: Many people believe that you are currently the finest right back in the globe. Did you anticipate receiving this recognition at such a young age?


Daniel Alves: You never anticipate that type of recognition. I’m overjoyed. For me, things have worked out quite well, and I intend to keep taking advantage of that. Every day, I work to get better, and I aspire to uphold the reputation I’ve already established.


Q: You’re one of Brazil’s most promising players at just 23 years old. What are your intentions for this year?”


Daniel Alves: I aim to get some important experience with Sevilla and the national team. That is also significant since one of our goals is to qualify for the Champions League the following season. Whether it’s the league championship or the UEFA Cup again, I want to assist Sevilla to win another trophy.


Q: Which athletes did you aspire to be like as a child?


Daniel Alves: My primary source of reference has always been Caf. I used to cheer for the So Paulo squad while I lived in Brazil. He always performed well there, and I enjoyed seeing him represent Brazil. He always plays in a style that I enjoy.


Q: You’ve been predicted to take his place as the right defender for Brazil’s national squad. How does it feel to be in charge of that?


Daniel Alves: It’s an honor, that’s all I can say. He is a skilled player with a ton of high-level experience. However, I believe it will be challenging to replace him given what he has accomplished in his professional career for soccer in Brazil and Europe. Caf is a talented athlete with a wealth of knowledge. It will be incredibly challenging for me to match what he has already accomplished, but I will keep working hard.


Q: Do the chance to compete in the Copa América and World Cup qualifications inspire you?


Daniel Alves: Of course, they are my key goals. I’ve always wanted to play for Brazil, so I’m overjoyed to have been chosen for the country’s next friendlies. Now it’s up to me. It’s a wonderful chance to succeed with the national team, and maybe I’ll be able to participate in the Copa América and World Cup qualifying matches.


Q: What can we anticipate from Brazil in Venezuela?


Daniel Alves: The competition will be fierce. However, because we are consistently one of the favorites, anything less than victory will be seen as a failure. Since the World Cup, Brazil has undergone significant change, and we are becoming better at every game. We have to outperform the other competing teams if we want to win it.


The 2-2 tie Sevilla had last week against Shakhtar Donetsk at home made it challenging for them to proceed to the UEFA Cup quarterfinals, according to SouthAmericanFutbol.com. Do you still think you can capture back-to-back championships?


Well, that wasn’t the ideal outcome, says Daniel Alves. However, the squad proved that it is capable of overcoming obstacles. We had good games. I believe we are in a challenging situation, but there is yet hope for improvement. The match will be our top priority, and if we succeed, we’ll see. We stand a solid chance of repeating as champions.


Q: José Mara del Nido, the president of Sevilla, recently gave you a value of almost $26 million. The likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool, and AC Milan are still vying for your attention.


Daniel Alves: Right now, all of my thoughts are focused on Sevilla. It’s different because I have the opportunity to advocate for significant causes in this club. But for me, those teams must acknowledge me. I wish I could play for one of those teams someday.

 

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