A couple of games later the Barca full back decided he'd rather not give adidas any free advertising by blacking out the same boot to hide any branding. This is a common tactic used by a number of high profile players to signal their availability to other brands in the hope of new sponsorship deal landing in the changing room locker. And to be honest, it normally works, although Alves is 31 now so he may have to knock a couple of zeros off the cheque he demands.