Dani Alves insists Juventus’ age will not matter in the Champions League Final against Real Madrid. “We’re youngsters and we’re still having fun!”
Only Alex Sandro, Miralem Pjanic, Juan Cuadrado and Claudio Marchisio are under the age of 30 in Juve’s first team, but Alves made it clear his side were raring to go in Cardiff.
“It’s special to have so many great players in the Champions League Final, a game watched by the whole world. We want to make the most of this moment,” he explained.
Dani Alves insists Juventus’ age will not matter in the Champions League Final against Real Madrid. “We’re youngsters and we’re still having fun!”
Only Alex Sandro, Miralem Pjanic, Juan Cuadrado and Claudio Marchisio are under the age of 30 in Juve’s first team, but Alves made it clear his side were raring to go in Cardiff.
“It’s special to have so many great players in the Champions League Final, a game watched by the whole world. We want to make the most of this moment,” he explained.
“I don’t feel any more important than the others because I’ve won it before. I came to this team in order to help them experience a dream, one that I can live again too. Every day we must write new pages of history.
“I don’t think it would change much for Buffon’s career if he wins the Champions League or the Ballon d’Or. He doesn’t need this trophy to become a legend.
“We’ve got one more step to make the dream come true and need to take this opportunity.
“I sleep very well before a Final and I advise my teammates do the same, because we’ve got a lot of hard work to do in the evening.
“I am nobody to give advice or teach, especially people who already have great experience in football and have won important trophies in their careers.
“I am eternally a student, I am always learning from my teammates and that is the strength of our squad.
“We united our experiences and histories, which is what convinced us we’ve got only one path forward, to combine those strengths and individual talents to be a great unit.
“That is our greatest strength, the collective, and it makes us stronger than the sum of our parts.
“When you look at the trajectory of my career, you can see there is success, but it doesn’t help me to think of that, because every day you have to write a new page of your history.
“I don’t think that tomorrow I could be the only player with three Trebles. I am simply a player who wants to win.
“In all honesty, I am not someone who thinks about himself too much. It’s a team sport, so that’s the objective.
“I want to be at the same level as my teammates, as helping those around me to get even better is the challenge of my life.
“That’s why I came to Juventus. I am here to fight for this great dream.
“We are dreaming, but on the field we do what’s needed to take home the result and the trophy.
“This match must be played to win, to celebrate with the fans and take the trophy home. Obviously we respect our opponents, but have no fear. At least, that’s my view.
“Beating Real Madrid with Juventus would be the icing on the cake! We are their opponents tomorrow and they are not necessarily the favourites.
“It’s Juventus-Real Madrid, not Dani Alves-Real Madrid, and a battle between two big clubs with strong players.
“Juventus last won this trophy in 1998 and they say Mijatovic’s goal was offside, so the Bianconeri feel this game particularly keenly.
“We will try to play without fear compared to the opponents. Without fear of Real Madrid’s pedigree. Without fear of their trophy cabinet. We will play with energy and positivity.
“Stop asking about our age! We’re youngsters! We’re still having fun, our age doesn’t matter!
“We have to face this moment with joy, with passion that fuels our love for this game. Don’t feel pressure or anxiety, because you don’t win with that, you win with other qualities and characteristics.
“We know it’s a special match, but mustn’t change the attitude that took us to Cardiff.
“We need to continue the way we’ve played so far, sweating through the shirt and crowning the work of an entire season. This is the spirit of Juventus.”