Daniel Alves has been assured he is a required player at Pumas in Mexico.

The 39 year-old fullback is currently back with Barcelona, where he is training with Rafa Marquez's Barca Atletic squad. Alves is keeping fit with the hope of making Brazil coach Tite's World Cup squad.

Meanwhile, new Pumas coach Rafael Puente said, "Dani Alves is considered for this project, he has a contract, but we haven't talked yet, we'll talk later with him and his teammates for the start of this tournament."

Pumas vice-president Miguel Mejía Barón also said: "Dani Alves is an exemplary, influential and professional guy. He has a contract with us and we are waiting for him here because I am confident that Rafael will be able to take advantage of it so that Dani leaves us many things."