Dani Alves says Barcelona’s directors were ‘false and ungrateful’

Dani Alves has criticised the directors at Barcelona for being "very false and ungrateful" but says he has respect for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The current Juventus defender left the Nou Camp last summer on a free transfer after spending eight years at the club, winning six La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies.

However, in an interview with Spanish newspaper ABC, the Brazil international has slammed the Barcelona board of directors who handled his move to the Serie A side.

"During my last three seasons I always heard that Alves was leaving, but the directors never said anything to my face. They were very false and ungrateful," Alves said.

"They did not respect me. They only offered me a renewal when they were given a transfer ban by FIFA. That was when I came into play and signed a deal with a termination clause.

"The people who run Barcelona today have no idea how to treat their players."

During his time in Catalonia, Alves was reported to have been involved in a "fight" with Ronaldo after comments made by the defender, leading the Real Madrid star to snub him at a Ballon d`Or ceremony in 2015.

"If only people knew how much I respect Cristiano Ronaldo. I will repeat it so it`s clear: I respect Cristiano Ronaldo a lot. Everybody tells me that he is a great professional," he said when quizzed about their disagreement.

"As for CR7, it`s different. He was my rival and I had to compete with him. When I said that he is too self-centred, that when you win you are going to be the star but when you lose they will come for you, I said it in a very respectful way. I think the same about Messi or Neymar.

"But my thoughts were not hurtful. What happened is the press sold it in another way, saying that I had spoken badly about him. And Ronaldo believed it.

"That`s why he did not greet me at the Ballon d`Or gala in 2015. I believe that over the course of time he reconsidered and he realised that my words were manipulated. In the first Clasico after that Balon d`Or gala, he came and greeted me. End of story."

But Alves` main focus now is with Juventus, who are chasing their sixth consecutive Serie A title, and offered his reasoning for the move to Italy.

"I wanted to leave my comfort zone and compete at a high level with an historic and successful club. Because I am a winner, and Juventus is too," he added.

"It`s a club that always has something to teach you. It always competes. I am happy here and I have new and exciting challenges with this great team."

Source: Skysports