Flamengo veteran Dani Alves heaped praise on Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

Alves arrived at Barcelona just a day after Guardiola took charge of the club and together they went on to win three La Ligas, two Copa Del Reys, two Club World Cups, two UEFA Supercups, three Spanish Supercups and two Champions Leagues.

"I think Pep is a genius," the right-back told CNN.

"A genius that football gave us as a gift, as a coach, as a person. How he got the best out of every player -- those that played a lot, those that didn't play as much -- creating a synergy with a lot of respect between those inside the team.

"That puts him in a very special position in my life and a very particular position. I think he's a nonconformist genius, a methodical genius, a perfectionist genius and I think that makes him unique.

"Wherever he goes, he can win more or he can win less, but I think a player that works with him will never be the same. Every day is a learning [curve], it's a class like you were going to college. It's a discipline because you learn something more."