Barcelona and Brazil legend Dani Alves has officially completed his move to Mexican side Pumas following the expiration of his contract at Camp Nou.
Alves became a free agent on 1 july after his short-term deal at Barcelona came to an end, and has now joined Pumas on a free transfer. The Mexican team will be the third team outside Europe that Alves has played for in his career, after EC Bahia and Sao Paulo.
Alves, 39, returned to the blaugrana from a spell n Brazil in late 2021 at the request of new head coach Xavi, in order to provide experience to a side struggling in La Liga. With cash limited at his former club, Alves agreed to play on a €1 a month contract, and featured 17 times in all competitions
Along with fellow January arrivals Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ferran Torres, Alves helped Barcelona climb the table and ensured their place in the 2022-23 Champions League.
However, his deal was not renewed at the close of the 2021-22 Spanish top flight season.
Reports in early 2022 had suggested that Barcelona may offer Alves an extension to prolong his stay at the club, but that didn't transpire.
Alves initially left Barcelona to join Juventus in 2016, before playing for Paris Saint-Germain and then Sao Paulo in his homeland.
However, he decided to re-join Barcelona following Xavi's appointment as head coach. His deal has not been renewed ahead of the upcoming La Liga season, and Barcelona are instead hoping to sign Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta.
Alves not happy with how his Barcelona exit was dealt with
Upon leaving Barcelona, the Brazilian told The Guardian: "I didn’t leave sad. I left happy to have returned to Barcelona. I dreamed for five years wanting to live this second moment. The only thing I didn’t like was how my departure was handled.
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