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Dani Alves says Cristiano Ronaldo is 'too big a personality'

Gustau Nacarino / Reuters

Barcelona right full-back Dani Alves is an interesting character through and through, but even he knows his limits.

The Brazilian explained that crafting a larger-than-life image comes with its own challenges, and while he has never shied away from making grand gestures or goofing around, he says Real Madrid icon Cristiano Ronaldo has taken his fame too far.

"The problem is that he's too big a personality and is too much in the limelight," Alves told reporters. "That means that when you win, all the talk is about you, but when you lose, you've got to bear the brunt of the blame."

Ronaldo was mostly invisible in Real Madrid's 4-0 thrashing at the hands of bitter rivals Barcelona, and while Alves says his team's "spirits are soaring" after winning El Clasico, he also knows a touch of humility goes a long way.

"If there's one thing I've learned, it's that victories and conquests weaken you massively because they make you believe and think things that aren't the case," Alves explained. "It's great that we won and got the three points, but our aim is to win trophies.

"The more wounded they are, the more dangerous Real Madrid become. Real Madrid make Barcelona better."

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