“Age is just a number”: Dani Alves reacts after scoring for Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid

Barcelona cruised to a resounding 4-2 win over rivals and La Liga champions Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday night.

It was a special occasion as the players took the field in front of a fully packed Camp Nou for the first time in 2022. The game also marked the return to the stadium for Barça icon Dani Alves.

Playing in front of the home crowd for the first time since returning to the club, Alves enjoyed a typically entertaining game. The Brazilian started off with an assist for fellow full-back Jordi Alba in the first half, before finding the back of the net with a thumping strike in the second.

However, Alves’ day was soured by a sending-off after a rash kick on Yannick Carrasco. He will be a relieved man as the red card did not have an effect on the outcome of the game.

Alves spoke to the media after the game and looked back on his return to Camp Nou, saying (h/t BarcaTV+): “It was a dream to play at Camp Nou. It was very special to come back here despite the red card. Today I felt the same as my first match with Barça.”

The Brazilian then went on to insist that he and the team will do everything in their power to take Barcelona back to where the club belongs.

“We will fight to take Barça to the place that the club deserves. Although Barcelona is not at it’s best, we have to be there for the rebuild. In these moments we must be united. Because we feel the colours and history of the club. We are working to put Barcelona where it deserves to be.”

Speaking of his role in the team, Alves said: “Football has changed and we have to adapt to that. You have to understand needs of the match and the requests of the coach. I like tactical things too.”

With his goal, Alves became the oldest player to score for Barcelona. Reacting to the news, the 38-year-old said: “Age is just a number.”