Dani Alves: Barcelona has no idea how to treat its players

Former Barcelona right full-back Dani Alves revealed his reasons for leaving the club last summer, explaining that the Spanish giant treats players poorly behind the scenes.

Alves, who left Barcelona after eight seasons with the club and joined Italian outfit Juventus, took some time to reflect on his old club and explained why he chose to sign with a new team.

"I like to feel wanted and if I'm not, I'll leave," Alves told ABC, as quoted by ESPN FC. "Leaving Barca on a free was a classy punch. During my final three seasons I always heard that 'Alves was leaving,' but the directors never said anything to my face.

"They were very false and ungrateful. They did not respect me. I was only offered a new deal when the FIFA transfer ban came in.

"That was when I played them at their own game and signed a deal with a termination clause. Those who run Barcelona today have no idea how to treat their players."

Typically outspoken, Alves also addressed concerns regarding fame and the media, which he says crafted animosity between himself and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Football's really hypocritical," Alves said. "That's why I am disappointed. Fame is shit.

"When I was little I practised signing autographs because I dreamed of being famous, of being important. But that was the mentality of an innocent kid. I didn't really have any idea what it meant.

"Now that I am famous I've realised that famous people are seen poorly. Football brings envy, hypocrisy, and false friendships."

Alves added: "All my fights with Cristiano were because of the press. If people only knew how much I respect Cristiano Ronaldo. I will repeat it to make myself clear: I respect Cristiano Ronaldo.

"When I said he always wanted the limelight, that when you win you are going to be the star but when you lose they will go for you, I said it in a very respectful way.

"And I think the same of (Lionel) Messi or Neymar. My thoughts were not negative. What happens is that the press sold them differently, saying that I had spoken ill of him. And Ronaldo believed it."