Dani Alves and Pepe go head-to-head following Mourinho's comments

Barcelona defender Dani Alves and Real Madrid defender Pepe have launched a war of words following Mourinho’s remarks that Barcelona’s success in the recently concluded Club World Cup is nothing compared to winning the Champions League, adding that the CWC is actually nothing but “two small games”.

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola had advised his players not to respond to Mourinho’s jibe and keep their heads down and focus on training ahead of crucial La Liga ties. However, Brazilian defender Dani Alves has hit out at the Real Madrid manager by claiming that the Catalans are the best team in the world at the moment. Alves said:

“Right now we are the best and the proof is there for all to see. To win these two small games you have to win the Champions League: we did that and last weekend we won the two small games. Envy is bad.

“I always say Mourinho plays his role carefully and tries to devalue what others win, only giving value to what he earns. It does not bother us what Madrid do because we don’t feel inferior to them and, if you don’t feel inferior to those that criticise you then it doesn’t bother you.

“On the other hand, what does upset us is that they continually denigrate what we do. There is always a ‘but’ or a ‘why’ but as this war is lost then we’ll talk on the pitch.”

Alves’ remarks were almost instantaneously followed by Real Madrid’s Pepe who told Marca TV:

“Real Madrid are bigger than Barcelona. I play in the best team in the world. What we need to do now is to carry on working like this so we have something to celebrate at the end of the season.”