Barcelona defender on the Ballon d’Or: “Benzema deserves it”

Speaking in an interview with MARCA, Barcelona defender Dani Alves has admitted that Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is deserving of the Ballon d’Or for the current year.

The Los Blancos striker has enjoyed a stunning campaign this time out and has helped the team win the La Liga title, the Spanish Supercup, while they have also made it to the finals of the UEFA Champions League.

And, amid rising calls for Benzema to win the Ballon d’Or, the Frenchman has found himself an unlikely supporter in Barcelona defender Dani Alves.

“He has everything to win, for what he is doing. But the Champions League is going to have a lot of influence. If he gets it, he’s a serious candidate, though there are other names as well. At City, at Liverpool, there are players who can fight it,” Alves said.

“He is earning it because he has taken Real Madrid to places that it was not before in terms of play and other facets. He has thrown the cart, he is deserving it,” he added.

The right-back, who recently turned 39, also spoke about the changes he has made over the past six years since he left Barcelona before returning to the club last year.

“I wouldn’t say that I have changed because people don’t change, but I have improved my adaptability. I have grown a lot in this. I have a greater awareness that football has evolved,” he said.

Speaking of the changes that Barcelona have gone through during this period, he said: “For me, what changed at Barça is that they got carried away by the tide. Football has been changing and the club mistakenly wanted to change and follow this tide.”

“But if you have a solid base, you don’t have to adapt to what comes up or to fashion because then you will be vulnerable. Barça has a quarry to build from there, because it is their strength. We have to rescue the quarry and let that be the strength of Barcelona.”

The 39-year-old also spoke about the plans and ambitions for the team for the upcoming season under Xavi, saying:  “It will depend on the market you make. That will mark if you can aspire to great things, or not. 

“You have to get it right and add quality to what you already have. Xavi’s arrival brought knowledge of the house, of what is lived, of what is defended, of the shield, of the colors, of the history of resilience of this club.”

However, the defender added that the rebuild can take time as the new players coming in could take time to adapt to the demands of Xavi.

Speaking of the team’s recent downturn in form, Alves said: “I think this season has been marked by intermittence, by the instability of mind. If you do not have a serene and balanced head, there is instability.”

“Winning at the Bernabéu hasn’t changed that we’re the best team, nor does losing against Cádiz mean we’re down. What counts, in the end, is how balanced the trajectory has been during the year.

“We have to improve at Barça on a mental level, that the players are stronger on a mental level, they are going to last longer and are going to do more incredible things,” he added.

Further talking about Real Madrid’s title triumph, Alves also revealed his admiration for compatriot Marcelo and his achievements with Barcelona’s arch-rivals, confirming that he had congratulated him for his success.

” Yes, yes, I have said it publicly. And what Marcelo has done, who has entered the history of a club like Real Madrid, you have to take your hat off,” he said.

Finally, Alves’ contract with Barcelona expires at the end of June and there have been no discussions over a new deal for the defender as of yet. Addressing his future at Camp Nou, the Brazilian said:

“I live intensely all day, without thinking beyond it because I don’t know what will happen. But what is certain is that I would like to continue because here I am at home, I am in the club and in the team for which I have had to fight for five years to return.”

“And I think I can continue contributing things for them, but it doesn’t depend on me.  I can’t do anything else but give myself 200 percent to the club I love and love madly. But it’s up to them to decide,” he said.

“If Barça wants me to renew, I’m delighted. If they don’t want to, thank you very much, and I will continue to defend this club to the death wherever it is,” Alves signed off.