Xavi and Dani Alves together again

Six years later, Xavi Hernández and Dani Alves are back together at FC Barcelona. The difference is that the former is returning as first team coach, while the 38-year-old Brazilian is here to play for the second time in his career. 

They shared a dressing room from 2008, when Alves arrived from Sevilla, until May 2015, when Xavi left for Qatar. In that time they won 19 major trophies together, including five Ligas and three Champions Leagues, not to mention the two incredible trebles achieved in 2009 and 2015.

Six to six

When Xavi left, Dani Alves inherited the former captain’s number six shirt, although he only played one further season for the club, playing 48 games, giving eight assists and scoring one goal on the way to four major trophies, including a league and cup double, taking his overall tally at Barça to 23. 

It was at the league title celebration that he explained why he chose to wear the number six. “I’d like to thank Xavi for having given me his number after I asked his permission” he said. “I promised him I’d do it justice. I can’t so as well because he is unequalled at this club, but I do promise I shall wear this number with dedication, commitment and defending the colours the way I think they should be defended. I am convinced that this season I will win my sixth Liga.”

The six theme continues, for six years on the pair are back together again. There are so many good things to look forward to when the domestic season gets going again on Saturday week.