Barcelona star Dani Alves sports pirate hat as he enjoys family holiday in Formentera ahead of new season

  • Dani Alves will return to Barcelona pre-season later than his team-mates
  • Alves represented Brazil in Copa America and has been given extra time off
  • The right back is currently enjoying a holiday with his family in Formentera
  • Alves believes team-mate Lionel Messi is better than Cristiano Ronaldo

By Matt Maltby For Mailonline

Published: 18:59 EST, 14 July 2015 | Updated: 19:01 EST, 14 July 2015

The majority of his Barcelona team-mates may have returned to pre-season training this week but Dani Alves is making the most of his extra time off as he enjoys some family time while on holiday.

After representing Brazil in the Copa America this summer, Alves was allowed to return to Barcelona duty later than the rest of the squad. 

And the right back is making the most of his time in the sunshine as he sported a pirate hat while larking about on holiday in Formentera.

Dani Alves is making the most of much-deserved family time as he larked about on holiday in Formentera

Dani Alves is making the most of much-deserved family time as he larked about on holiday in Formentera

After representing Brazil in the Copa America, Alves was allowed to return to Barcelona duty later than usual

After representing Brazil in the Copa America, Alves was allowed to return to Barcelona duty later than usual

The 32-year-old took to Instagram to post a picture and captioned the post: 'The pirates are ready for paella'

The 32-year-old took to Instagram to post a picture and captioned the post: 'The pirates are ready for paella'

The 32-year-old took to Instagram to post a picture and captioned the post: 'The pirates are ready for paella.'

Alves ended transfer speculation last month when he signed a new two-year contract with Barcelona after helping them secure a memorable treble last season.

And earlier this month, Alves hit out at Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo by claiming Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi is a far superior player.

'Messi is much better than Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi influences the game, Cristiano doesn't,' he told ESPN.

Alves was pictured wearing a pirate hat while soaking up the final few days of sun before he returns to Barca 

Alves was pictured wearing a pirate hat while soaking up the final few days of sun before he returns to Barca 

Alves was in a playful mood as he entertained his children while on holiday in Formentera

Alves was in a playful mood as he entertained his children while on holiday in Formentera

'He doesn't influence the game beyond scoring goals and being involved in a few actions. Messi is influential - he plays, scores and makes assists.

'Messi has a divine gift, Cristiano is about work. I don't admire the things he does because I play as part of a team.

'And my team is more important than I am. I don't think he sees what really matters, which is the group.'

Alves has hit out at Cristiano Ronaldo claiming Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi is a far superior player

Alves has hit out at Cristiano Ronaldo claiming Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi is a far superior player

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