How many FIFA World Cups has the 39-year-old Brazilian defender Dani Alves played in?

Brazil go into the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a realistic chance of lifting the famous trophy once again, and this one would go down in history as the first not to take place in the summer, not to mention one that had the most serious question marks around its destination.

Dani Alves was hoping that this year would mark a hat-trick of World Cups with Brazil (to add to those of 2010 and 2014) despite the doubts raised over his next birthday being his 40th. Well, on Monday it was confirmed that he was indeed included in the squad.

Full screen

Source sofascore.

Alves back for Qatar World Cup

The former Barcelona star signed for Liga MX side Pumas on an initial 12-month contract in July, but things haven’t gone to plan for the Brazil international with the university side delivering abject performances on the pitch and failing to secure a top 12 placing that would have kept their season alive with Alves’ performances also being under-par.

The Brazilian played no part in Pumas last game of the regular Apertura 2022 season as they fell to Juarez (3-1) with mystery-shrouding a knee injury the player sustained in training and doubts abound if the Mexico City based outfit will exercise their one season option to retain the veteran defender.

Full screen

The 39-year-old, however, has received the call up from Brazil manager Tite for the 2022 World Cup, despite not being included in the Seleção squad for the latest (and last) window before the tournament in Qatar gets underway in mid-November. He is also playing in a position in which Casemiro, Fabinho, Fred and Bruno Guimarães are also among the South American nation’s options.

We wish him well...