Dani Alves has revealed that a breakdown in relationship between himself and the hierarchy at Barcelona was the reason he left the club in 2016.

Alves became arguably the best full-back in the world after joining Barça in 2008, winning three Champions Leagues and six La Liga titles, but joined Juventus after eight years with La Blaugrana.

Speaking on an Instagram Q&A with followers – quoted by Marca – Alves‘ revealed that he doesn’t miss being at Barcelona that much, before revealing why he chose to leave Camp Nou.

„I did not believe in the leaders who were in charge [of Barcelona] in that moment,“ Alves said.

„Later it was proven that I was right. As I was the first person who said it, they called me crazy, but, as always…I am a good crazy!“

Josep Bartomeu served as Barcelona president from 2014 to 2020 and came in for criticism, eventually being arrested for his role in ‚Barcagate‚. He has since been replaced by Joan Laporta, who led the club through one of their most successful periods from 2003 to 2010 in his first spell.

Having won the Champions League in 2015, Barcelona’s form in Europe declined under Bartomeu’s rule, with rivals Real Madrid winning the competition three times on the bounce.

Barça were demolished 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the 2019/20 quarter-finals, and were knocked out in the round of 16 this season. The club’s hierarchy have come under fire for their downfall, selling Luis Suarez to title rivals Atletico Madrid, while club politics led to Lionel Messi into handing in a transfer request in 2020.

Alves, who is the most decorated top-level footballer in history with 41 trophies, still reserved praise for his former Barcelona teammates. He picked Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo (because obviously he would) and spoke highly of Xavi and Sergio Busquets, before calling Neymar the most skilful player in the world.