Dani Alves talks Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele, and retirement

Dani Alves recently sat down with ESPN journalist Hugo Sanchez in a long interview session that saw him discuss many things including his experience of facing Cristiano Ronaldo.

The former Barcelona ace was also asked about the comparisons between Pele and Lionel Messi. While he offered his respect to the latter, the defender hailed Messi as the best player of all time.

“I stay with Pelé for one reason: football has changed. Messi changed a generation. All those people who are more than football, I’m going to stay with them. And besides, I’m Brazilian. For me, Pelé should not enter in that debate. If you ask me, who is the best player in history? I would say Messi. Pelé doesn’t fit in there,” he said (h/t MARCA).

But when asked about Ronaldo, Alves did not shy in opening up, labelling the Portuguese international as one of the most difficult players to play against.

Alves even claimed that Ronaldo was the most difficult rival he has played against, stating: “Cristiano Ronaldo. This bastard doesn’t let you breathe for a second. I didn’t do too badly, but it’s hard. He’s a scoring machine.”

Apart from his comments on Ronaldo, Alves also talked about PUMAS, his current club, as well as potential retirement.

“First, before requesting anything, I like to deliver. I have a year to prove myself with them. I wouldn’t have a problem. I need to show them that I can, that together we can build a very cool team in Mexico, that plays in a different way, that young people take a step forward,” said Alves when asked about his prospects at PUMAS.

The Brazilian went on to talk about his retirement, adding: “I don’t like to think about the future because it’s always unknown. I let life take me. If Messi passes me (in titles) I’m going to play until I’m 50”.