Dani Alves with the President of Pumas, Leopoldo Silva, during his presentation at the Pumas facilities this Saturday LUIS CORTES (Portal)
From the Martian rumor to Dani Alves on the Ciudad Universitaria pitch. The Pumas unveiled the most important signing in their history in a day of celebrations this Saturday. The 39-year-old Brazilian made an unlikely choice for a team used to producing rather than buying players.
“Thank you to the President [de Pumas, Leopoldo Silva] for bringing me to this place. I’m a person who goes beyond football, I’m a person who likes to leave a legacy to younger people,” said Alves in his uniform. “Come on Pumas!” he launched in a presentation escorted by young soccer players from the representative club of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the largest in Latin America.
Dani Alves’ first gesture in Mexico was putting on the mask of El Santo, the Mexican wrestling legend. The country greeted him with a rush of fans looking for a selfie or something similar at Mexico City’s airport. Alves’ first dribbles didn’t occur on the pitch but on the polished floor of Terminal One, where he outsmarted all the fans and exited through an alternate door. Your private driver showed you the exterior of the Estadio Olímpico Universitario and the relief mural by artist Diego Rivera that adorns the Pumas Field.
Less than 24 hours after arriving in Mexico, Dani Alves showed up at his new club’s facilities at 9am on a Saturday. More than one of the sportswriters was caught in the middle of a hangover. Alves, regarded by the Mexican club’s staff as the best signing in their history, has signed his contract and completed his first training session with his new team-mates. The Brazilian’s magnetic smile never faltered in Mexico City’s intense midday heat. The club’s staff agreed on one thing: the friendliness of the Brazilian.
I’m from a small town [Juazeiro, en el Estado de Bahía] where a lot of people want to come out and win. Football changed my life. I accepted the challenge of the university, as I told you privately, because it is the union of society where we can dream,” commented Alves, owner of number 33.
Alves was protected by the Rebel, one of Mexico’s most dangerous Barra Bravas, with batucada, trumpets and huge flags. The euphoria of the group of Pumas fans was one of those matchdays when the club wins their most hated rival by a landslide victory. “Apart from his football, Dani brings his personality, experience, thirst for victory and will to succeed. That will be broadcast,” commented Pumas President Leopoldo Silva.
The Pumas were able to negotiate with Alves after the Brazilian was sacked by Barcelona. Uni was on him the whole time until they seduced him in the past few weeks.
“It’s rare that he came to Pumas, he never brings numbers and besides he’s Brazilian! He’s a great player,” says Ms. Yolanda Montaño, 57, who wormed his way into Alves’ presentation thanks to the fact that her daughter Mar Moya plays in the women’s youth team. “We had the rumor from before, but we didn’t think a man his size would come,” she added. Santiago Acosta, a 14-year-old Pumas player, managed to get the Brazilian, who is still suffering from jet lag, to sign shin pads for him. “Not all were signed, huh,” he said. The footballer’s presentation lasted five minutes, enough to boost Cougars’ hopes of winning again after 11 years without winning a league.
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