Dani Alves Opens Up on Lionel Messi, Neymar and Barcelona Future

Dani Alves' future remains firmly in the balance, according to reports in the Spanish press. The Barcelona right-back has responded by saying he wishes to "see out" his contract with the club despite suggestions he is quickly becoming surplus to requirements.

Alves is the subject of consistent speculation that he could move to the Premier League, per Marca, which recently reported comments in which he claimed, "Next year I'm moving to England."

This idea was batted away by Dinorah Santa Ana, Alves' ex-wife and agent, who confirmed he "would like to stay" at the Camp Nou, as reported by Catalunya Radio (via Nick Lustig of the Daily Star).

Speaking to Marca in an article published on Thursday, Alves indicated he isn't thinking beyond the end of the current season. "I never think in the long term. So in the short term I want to see out my current contract here," said the Brazilian defender. Simon Jones of the Daily Mail believes he will be offered a new deal despite the continued rumours.

Football writer Tre Atkinson is unsure whether Alves' future remains with the club, despite reports suggesting it could:

Alves' latest interview was also peppered with snippets surrounding his team-mates. He spoke of Lionel Messi and Neymar, two players with whom he has formed a positive relationship during his time in Catalonia.

The 31-year-old zoned in on his ability to create chances for Messi—brilliantly realised for the Argentinian's 400th career goal with a volleyed cross—as reported by Marca. 

"I've set up more goals for Messi than anyone at Barcelona," Alves said. "That's a fact. The cross for Messi's goal number 400 for Barca was mine. In Barca's first Club World Cup Leo's winning goal came from my cross. Some people might not like it, but it's there for everyone to see."

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Criticism of Alves isn't uncommon. He is a wholehearted full-back whose natural instincts tell him to get forward at every possible opportunity. This ensures he is explosive at his best and a liability when the team are playing badly.

His burst of pace down the right allowed Messi's aforementioned goal to happen, but if Granada had won the ball from Xavi's pass, Alves would have been exposed. Fine margins like this define his performances. 

Alves also acknowledged the improving form of Neymar, whose game has grown under Luis Enrique at the Camp Nou. The Brazilian starlet has plenty to contend with—pressure, expectation and a recent back injury—but has scored eight goals across as many starts in La Liga and the Champions League this season, as recorded by WhoScored.com.

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Neymar worked avidly to learn Barcelona's philosophy last season. In doing so, he lost some of the creativity he was able to show on a weekly basis at Santos. Alves now believes the starlet is showing his full potential, per Marca.

"His performances are no surprise at all," Alves said. "This is the Neymar that Barça signed, the player that knocks other teams off their balance and scores goals. He's developed a better understanding with the other attacking players."

Barca's form has improved this season, as highlighted by their unbeaten run to the top of the domestic table. Enrique has added a sense of determination and grit to the side, who are yet to concede a goal in La Liga. The new manager will surely be wary of letting Alves go if the defence continues to post match-defining displays.

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The back four are certainly playing greater than the sum of their parts. Enrique's move for Jeremy Mathieu now looks like smart business, and he'll certainly face a battle when trying to replace someone of Alves' ilk. In fact, the club's transfer ban through 2015 could be the decider in whether the experienced full-back is offered a new contract.

It makes little sense to deplete the squad at this moment in time, as Barca's defensive options would begin to look bleak. Douglas posted a nervous performance before succumbing to injury, and Martin Montoya is yet to prove himself reliable across an entire season. There's no better option than Alves for the immediate right-back position at the club.

In a strange way, the transfer ban could turn out to be extremely positive for the player. Alves is a key when he fulfills all duties, not just those in the opposition's half, and he has the quality to adapt to any league in the world. Whether he does so in the next year, however, will be defined by his performances across the rest of the campaign.