It’s almost impossible to envision Guardiola’s gifted players without Alves, one of the biggest and most often overlooked stars. Alves gave 20 assists last season in all competitions. He was second only to Messi in the league in that department. In addition to that, he scored four goals, one of them this stunner. And lest you forget, he’s the club’s right back. Or is he? For Guardiola has even played him on the right wing. 

Football is also a numbers game, for they never lie. To see the brilliance of Alves last season, just look at the stats here which compare him to others in his position in the league. Done with the figures. Now let’s highlight some of his many attributes.

Alves is hardworking; the man just doesn’t stop running and even tiring. It’s like he is on fourth gear always. He can score a goal from a distance, an ability that not many of his teammates possess. He is one of those rare defenders, the sort who enjoys attacking and gives nightmares to the very players who play in his position. Simply put, Alves any day prefers to run towards the opponent’s goalkeeper rather than stay close and offer support to Valdés. 

Not that he won’t be there to help the defenders. For if Guardiola tells him, ‘Dani, today, you will have to forsake your offense to take care of Ronaldo,’ unlike a few footballers who prefer to run through red lights in their Ferrari, Alves actually listens and does the job. In fact, he will smile and do a terrific job.

As if he isn’t a quality player, Alves is also a charismatic presence on the field and a bundle of joy in the dressing room. That infectious smile of his is one of the many signs that he couldn’t be happier anywhere else but on the football pitch. Like many Brazilians, Alves is good with his feet, not just when it comes to football, but even when it comes to doing a jig. Could there be a more colourful personality in football? 

It is not easy to replace Maicon, but Alves has made the right back position his own in the Brazil national team. If Brazil are to win the World Cup at home in 2014, it’s not just Neymar, but even Alves who will have to be in top notch form. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that he is the best defender in his position in the game as of now.

Forwards, and occasionally midfielders, walk away with the big prizes. But behind every successful forward is a determined and disciplined defender. And this defender even happens to score a few goals and give many assists. So why not give it to Alves. It’ll be great to see a defender in the top three and no one can be as deserving as Alves, who like Xavi, has been consistently good for the last three years. I, for one, cannot wait to see him in Switzerland for the gala. What will he wear? Will he do a small samba routine? Imagine the possibilities.