Daniel Alves

Daniel Alves da Silva (born 6 May 1983 in Juazeiro), usually known as Daniel Alves, Dani Alves, is a Brazilian Football (soccer) who plays as an attacking Football (soccer) positions Full back or Football (soccer) positions Winger and wide midfielder for Sevilla in La Liga.

Club career

Alves started his career with Brazilian club Esporte Clube Bahia, but was soon noticed by clubs in Europe after establishing himself in the Brazilian national under-20 team. In 2002, he moved to Sevilla, initially on a six-month loan.

During this period, Alves traveled to play in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship where he impressed as Brazil won the tournament. Alves was named as the third best player of the tournament. After these impressive displays, the Sevilla move was made permanent.

In June 2006, several media sources (including the BBC and Sky Sports) reported that he was keen on a move to Liverpool F.C], but the move did not materialise as Sevilla and Liverpool unable to agree upon a fee (reportedly, the Spanish club were holding out for a £12 million fee). Sevilla President Jose Maria Del Nido issued a statement containing his desire to keep the player, "Sevilla doesn't want Alves to leave the club" he said.

Alves had a successful 2006-07 season with Sevilla making 47 appearances and scoring 5 goals. Alves appeared in every one of Sevilla's UEFA Cup matches which the club went on to win.

From his years in Spain he now also possesses Spain nationality, thus allowing him to bypass any non-EU quota restrictions and exempting him from needing a work permit to play in any EU countries.

On August 1 2007, Alves told Brazilian sports channel Sportv that he wanted to leave Sevilla for a European giant, later reiterating his desire to leave Sevilla to Spanish newspaper Marca, stating that he was flattered by Chelsea's interest and that he could never turn down such an opportunity. In an interview with Spanish sports channel Antena 3 (Spain) on August 8 2007, Alves confirmed that his agent has been in England for some time handling Chelsea's offer, urging Sevilla to at least consider the offer.

On August 16 2007, Sevilla rejected an unspecified Chelsea bid, and later on August 22 2007 rejected another two bids from Chelsea for Alves, considering them to be "way below what was expected". Alves later revealed his dismay with Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido for having knocked back Chelsea's offers for his services after his move to Stamford Bridge collapsed, with Chelsea signing fellow Brazilian full back Juliano Belletti for a much lower fee.

After a public war of words between Alves and Del Nido, Alves looks set to stay at Seville after the death of team mate Antonio Puerta, him and Del Nido seeming to have reconciled.

International career

Alves earned his first cap with Brazil national football team as a substitute in a friendly against Ecuador national football team on October 102006, three days later he made his full debut for Brazil in a friendly match against a Kuwait club, Al Kuwait Kaifan as a starter. On July 15, 2007, Alves gave an assist and scored a goal for Brazil in the Copa América 2007 final against Argentina.

Honours

With Sevilla

- UEFA Cup 2006, 2007
- Copa del Rey 2007
- UEFA Super Cup 2006
- Spanish Super Cup 2007

With Brazil
- FIFA World Youth Championship 2003
- Copa América 2007

Individual
- UEFA Cup Most Valuable Player 2006
- UEFA Super Cup Most Valuable Player 2006