Dani Alves' WhatsApp to Bartomeu after Anfield humiliation: I want to return...

Dani Alves' recent claims that he wouldn't have returned to Barcelona under Josep Maria Bartomeu appear to have been disproven after a WhatsApp conversation between himself and the ex-president leaked.

The conversation shows Alves offering his services directly to Bartomeu in May 2019, and the then-president was open to the idea of the Brazilian's return.

The conversation, leaked by Culemania, went as follows...

Dani Alves: "Mr. President, is everything okay? I want to go back there [to Barcelona], I want to go back home and to play at the 2022 World Cup as a Barcelona player! Let's put our pride aside, we need each other and we both know it!"

Bartomeu: "Hi Dani. There are no problems with your return, but it would have to be with the wish of the coaches. Have you spoken with [Eric] Abidal?"

Dani Alves: "I can talk to him if you want!"

Bartomeu: "I'll talk to Abi and you talk to your people."

With Ernesto Valverde in charge at the time, Abidal and the coach ruled out the Brazilian's signing.