Alves kumbe yumo bhana!!!

Reinvented in his native Brazil as a playmaker, the former Barca and Juventus star still has talent to spare as he marked his debut with a goal.

A brave new era at the Estadio Morumbi began on Sunday. Two blockbuster signings were cleared to take the pitch for Sao Paulo in their Brasileirao showdown with Ceara, a duo that between them boast some of football's biggest prizes.

On the right-hand side of defence lined up the grizzled figure of Juanfran, the Atletico Madrid legend who has opted to spend his final playing years thousands of kilometres away from the Spanish capital. On any other day the 34-year-old would have been the biggest attraction as he made his Tricolor bow.

Against Ceara, however, all eyes were on another man. Dani Alves, fresh from inspiring Brazil to Copa America glory, took the pitch wearing Sao Paulo's No. 10 shirt, fulfilling a long-held dream of his to represent the club at a time when some of Europe's biggest sides were still chasing his signature. That love is mutual: 40,000 fans turned out at his official presentation, and the Morumbi was packed on Sunday to welcome him back officially to Brazil's top flight 17 years after leaving Bahia for Sevilla. 

But this is indeed a new beginning. Alves lined up in the middle of midfield in the host's starting formation, far from his post on the right side of defence where he made his name. Following in the footsteps of Rai, Kaka and other Sao Paulo legends, he is the Tricolor's No. 10 in every possible sense.

That is not to say that at 36, the former Barcelona, Juventus and PSG star is looking to close out his career in a flurry of Harlem Globetrotters-esque tricks and exuberant showboating. Sunday's first half saw him play primarily with his back to goal and with one or two touches, always looking to bring his team-mates into the game in the face of aggressive Ceara pressing.

It was nevertheless far from a stroll for the star. After testing Ceara's Diogo Silva in the first minute with an effort from outside the area Alves toiled under the close attention of the visitors' markers, struggling to make much of an impact in a crowded midfield. On more than one occasion he was guilty of dawdling on the ball and losing possession in an opening 40 minutes that offered few thrills. All he needed, though, was one opportunity.