Dani Alves: Cafu has always been my idol

(Photo via Flickr)

Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves has revealed that two-time World Cup winner Cafu has been his idol since he was a young child.

Speaking to World Soccer magazine, the 26-year-old also said he would be happy to achieve just ‘half of what Cafu has done in football’.

“I’ve been following Cafu ever since I was young,” he told World Soccer magazine. “He was my role model, all the more so because we played in the same position.

“Today I’m proud and pleased to say that he remains my idol for all he represented on and off the pitch.”

Alves went on to explain why he looked up to the right-back.

“He was a player who left his mark,” he continued. “Hearing him say that I would be his successor was a very emotional moment because he was very important for Brazil.

“If I manage to achieve half of what Cafu has don in football it will have been good enough.”

The defender, who was part of Barcelona’s treble-winning side last season, also said that he expects the current campaign to be tough.

“We need to keep ambitions high,” he said. “Every club in Spain and Europe will be dying to take our trophies. It will be a tough season for sure.”

He also said Real Madrid’s summer acquisitions are good for Spanish football.

“It will be great for the league to have Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka around.”