| In terms of partnerships within the Barcelona team, Xavi and Iniesta might come to mind first as the best example of two players who share the ball with an incredible understanding, almost telepathic as people like to say. They seem to know where one another are on the soccer pitch all the time and whenever they’re under pressure they can release the ball to their partner and then get the ball back when they’re free again.
Yet there’s another duo where the understanding is equally as impressive, that of Dani Alves and Lionel Messi. Alves and Messi love to play quick little give and goes or wall passes and they’re not afraid to ping the ball at pace to one another – they’re obviously confident in their partners’ skill level. The Brazilian and the Argentine play like brothers on the soccer field. Alves no look outside of the foot assist to Messi is probably his most brilliant.
Take a look at the video below, as they juggle the ball in the air during warm ups for Barcelona. The Messi and Alves warm up routine has become even more famous than their give and goes and passing partnership during the game. It’s interesting how a defender like Alves can be such an important player for Barcelona. I don’t think Messi would let Barcelona sell Alves. And while the Alves and Messi partnership is perhaps unique, in that they share a special understanding of the game, all Barcelona players have the ability to play in a similar fashion with all their teammates. It’s like every player, from the last defender to the forward can play like a playmaker. Paris Saint-Germain defender Dani Alves speaks exclusively to ESPN FC about his personal life and reflects back on his trophy-laden career. Alves reminisces over his aspirations to be a singer like Michael Jackson or Bruno Mars during his younger years, why Pep Guardiola’s intensity helps motivate players like during his time at Barcelona, and what it’s like to play alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar. |
Messi & Alves Play Like Brothers on the Pitch
