Juventus have a hell of a lot of world-class defensive options ahead of the 2016/17 season.
Along with the rock-solid base of Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci, the Old Lady have Patrice Evra at left back and, with the signing of Barcelona great Dani Alves, they now have some much-needed competition for Stephan Lichtsteiner at right back.
Alves, fresh from winning his sixth La Liga title with Barcelona, officially signed for Juventus this week and he’s since revealed what inspired the move.
OFFICIAL: @DaniAlvesD2 signs for Juventus! https://t.co/RK6iuxYY6I #BemVindoDani pic.twitter.com/QIwPTNtXGy
— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) June 27, 2016
The Brazilian right back famously decided to wear the number six shirt at the Nou Camp when legendary midfielder Xavi vacated it by leaving Barcelona last summer, to honour the legacy of his close friend.
And Alves’ decision to sport the number 23 shirt with the reigning Serie A champions stems from another sporting icon… LeBron James.
“I’ve picked the number 23 shirt,” Alves told Juventus’ website. “LeBron James is someone I admire for the way he constantly reinvents himself and never rests on his laurels, always aiming for new challenges and triumphs.
“After leaving Miami, where he was enjoying a good career, he’s come back with a bang and reinvented himself. It’s a decision that brought about my choice to move to a new country, meet new team-mates and experience another type of football.”
