Dani Alves hits out at Barcelona board in explosive press conference
Barcelona's Brazilian right-back Dani Alves gave a stunning press conference on Monday, during which he attacked the board for not treating him as he deserves to be treated during his contract negotiations.
His appearance lasted 50 minutes, with the board not the only ones feeling his wrath. He also refused to answer a journalist from Marca, calling the newspaper "rubbish", and critisiced television presenters Los Manolos.
Here are the highlights of what the 32-year-old had to say as he reaches the end of his current deal with Barça:
Barça's change of heart: "Six months ago the club did not want to give me a new deal, but after FIFA's transfer ban, they changed their opinion. Now they want to renew my contract, but I know the value that I have because I have worked for it. If they don't value me, I will look for another place."
Not appreciated: "I have felt under-appreciated and under-valued by the club, yet I still accpeted what the club wanted. But time has passed and I began to get other offers, so now Barça is just one of my options."
Will he stay at Barça? "At the moment, no. I have one and a half feet, my body and nearly all my head out of the club. But I still have two feet in the team.
Other offers: "They value me more in other places than in Barcelona. I won't compare the offers because the club I have given so much to would lose by a lot."
Still ready to play? "I am 200 percent in the team. I'm looking forward to enjoying the two finals that we have ahead of us, but I am only 10 percent in the club. While I am a player with this club, I will continue fighting to win everything, out of respect for my teammates and the coaches, because they deserve everything."
Talks with Bartomeu: "I won't reveal what we spoke about. It didn't even interest me, so I doubt it would interest you [the journalists]. The president knows what he has to do for me to stay. If he does it, good, if not, well..."
Blackmail for a better deal? "I am not blackmailing the club, only defending myself."
Not lacking respect: "I live football more than the biggest cules, because I, in addition, am a player. I don't know how to live football in any other way. If the socios feel that is a lack of respect, I won't judge them. If they feel offended, I'm sorry for defending the shirt and for these feelings, but nobody can accuse me of a lack of respect."
MORE: Dani Alves decision to be made at the end of the season
