RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Veteran right-back Dani Alves has announced he will not play for the rest of 2021 after parting ways with Sao Paulo earlier this month.

The 38-year-old had been linked with Flamengo, Fluminense and Athletico Paranaense following his decision to leave Sao Paulo over a pay dispute.

"I inform you that I've chosen not to sign with any club for the remainder of the year," Alves said in an Instagram post on Friday.

"I came to Brazil for a childhood dream, and the dream came true. Being champion with the club of my heart is priceless."

Alves accompanied the post with the hashtags "It'sNotOver" and "IWillBeBack".

"It's not about money, it's about values, it's about honor, it's about character, it's about legacy. Difficult decisions need to be made but, as always, in my life nothing has been easy. This is just one more decision."

It is understood Alves is seeking an offer to join a European club in the January transfer window as he bids to be included in Brazil's squad for next year's FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Capped 119 times for Brazil, Alves is regarded as the most decorated player in history with 43 trophies, most of which he won during a glittering eight-year spell with Barcelona.

His only title in two years at Sao Paulo was this year's Paulista championship, which ended the club's nine-year trophy drought. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)