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Another day, another controversy at Barcelona.
Former club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has hit back at Dani Alves’ claim that he would not have rejoined the club under the previous presidency, by allegedly leaking a WhatsApp conversation that the pair had together in 2019.
Alves rejoined Barcelona in November after leaving Sao Paulo and has now claimed that he would not have returned the Nou Camp had Bartomeu still been at the club.
"I would not have accepted an offer from him," Alves told Alkass Sports Channels.
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"I left when he was president and there was no point in working with him again."
However, those claims have now been called into question following the release of a WhatsApp chat between the pair from 2019, in which the Brazilian requested a return to Barcelona.
The conversation, which was released by Spanish publication Culemania, reads as follows:
Alves: “Mr president, how are you? I want to come back home and play the 2022 World Cup as a Barca player. Let’s leave pride aside. We both need each other!”
Bartomeu: “Hey Dani. No problem, but the technical staff has to agree. Did you speak to [Eric] Abidal? Big hug. Barto.”
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Alves: “I can speak to him if you want!”
Alves has since responded to the leaked conversation with a cryptic tweet, which reads: “For those who actually do care about Barca, we would do whatever it takes.
“Life knows what everyone deserves. Sorry... thanks.”
Alves, 38, has been unable to play for Barcelona since returning to the Nou Camp as he was signed as a free agent outside the transfer window and must wait until it reopens in January to be officially registered as an eligible player.
The Brazilian first joined the Catalan giants from Sevilla back in 2008 and would go on to make 391 appearances in his first spell at the Nou Camp, winning six La Liga titles and the Champions League three times.
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He would leave in 2016 to join Juventus before moving on to Paris Saint-Germain and Sao Paulo – before sensationally returning to Barcelona earlier this season.
Bartomeu, meanwhile, held the position of Barcelona’s president between 2014 and 2020, when he resigned from the role following a string of controversies including allegations of tax fraud.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Barcelona, La Liga, Football, Dani Alves, Josep Maria Bartomeu
