Dani Alves is hoping Atletico Madrid defeat arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League final set to be contested on May 28th in Milan. The Brazilian has enjoyed another trophy-laden season at Barcelona as the Catalan club managed to win the double of La Liga and the Copa del Rey. This saw Alves overtake legendary footballer Pele as the most successful Brazilian player in football history with 30 major trophies, one more than the former World Cup winner.
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Diego Simeone’s men knocked the defending champions out of Europe’s premier club competition in the quarter-finals courtesy of Antoine Griezmann’s two goals in the second leg of the tie and Alves hopes they prevail over their historic city rivals on Saturday. Los Colchoneros also went on to defeat favorites Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the competition and Alves believes they have done enough to deserve the title.
Speaking to AS, he said, "I want Atletico to win, but not because I want Madrid to lose. I like it when Madrid do not win, of course, but I want Atletico to win as they are the team who has worked hardest.”
"They deserve a trophy on this level. Madrid have already won lots of Champions Leagues. I would like [Atletico] to have a prize for their work in these years."
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The 33-year-old also believes that Atletico deserve respect as much of the pre-match coverage looks to have already handed the title to Los Blancos, seemingly biased towards the Santiago Bernabeu side. He said, "It seems that Madrid have already won the Champions League -- and their opponent deserves respect."
Despite the defeat in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Alves is of the opinion that his team remain the best in the world, having backed up their treble heroics last season with a double this season.
"I expect to see a great game, but that will not change that we are the best in the world," he said. "We have achieved what nobody else has,” Alves concluded.
The final is expected to be a tough affair as both teams have a rich history between them. Atleti have lost only 1 of their last 10 encounters against Zidane’s men, but failed to win the Champions League final two years ago against the same opposition as Sergio Ramos scored a dramatic injury-time equalizer to send the game to extra-time, where Real prevailed and came out with a comfortable 4-1 result at the end of extra time, sealing their La Decima.
La Undecima awaits now, but Alves would rather see Atletico Madrid lift their first rather than Real Madrid win their 11th.
