The Argentine joined Barca on a free transfer during the close season, but made only five appearances in all competitions due to a calf injury and his cardiac issues, scoring once in a 2-1 home defeat by Real Madrid.
A sense of euphoria was in the air in the country, particularly in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Palermo, where thousands of jubilant fans crowded to watch the match on a giant screen in the park.
Alves joined Barcelona from Sevilla in 2008 and made 391 appearances, becoming a regular under ex-managers Pep Guardiola, Tito Vilanova, Tata Martino and Luis Enrique before leaving for Juventus in 2016.
"It's a beautiful thing that many people outside Argentina want us to be champions and that it's largely because of me," Messi said.
Brazil continue to top the rankings, which has India placed at 151.
Brazil rounded off a very good pre-World Cup year with a lacklustre 2-0 win over Oman in a friendly on Tuesday to take their tally to 14 victories in 17 matches.
Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu admitted he went against UEFA's wishes in fielding midfielder Fred in Tuesday's Champions League qualifier despite being aware of a possible doping violation hanging over the Brazilian international.
The club have been trying to rebuild the squad with Junior Firpo, Jean-Clair Todibo and Carles Alena being sold to make way for free signings Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia.
New Jersey awarded 2026 World Cup final, Mexico gets opener
The World champions will be banking on their 'Magic Quartet' to win them the record sixth title
Brazil struggled to an uninspiring goalless draw away to Colombia in their opening match of the World Cup qualifiers.
The European champions moved to No. 14 in FIFA's latest rankings announced on Wednesday.
Brazil climbed up from third place after beating Argentina 3-0 in the Copa America final on Sunday.
Dunga's appointment as Brazil coach after last year's World Cup was greeted with scepticism by many because he had no previous experience.
Argentina beat Mexico 3-0 to set up a meeting with Brazil in the Copa America final.
Aimar and Tevez add to Crespo's brace to give the South Americans a 4-1 win.
Hundreds of Argentines protested in the pouring rain on Saturday, demanding that soccer star Lionel Messi return to Argentina's national team after he unexpectedly quit following a loss in the regional Copa America final.
Real Madrid will take the Spanish championship for the first time in four years if they beat mid-table Real Mallorca at home on Sunday.
Brazil have added Real Madrid striker Julio Baptista to their Copa America squad after midfielder Ze Roberto quit international football.
Brazil's preliminary Copa America squad includes Germany's Footballer of the Year Diego of Werder Bremen and Real Madrid forward Robinho.
Factbox on the Brazilian, who was named European Footballer of the Year.
No amount of preparation is enough to snuff out the threat of Argentina's "assassin" Lionel Messi, Panama coach Hernan Dario Gomez said ahead of Friday's Copa America clash between the teams. Messi was an unused substitute in Argentina's 2-1 win over holders Chile in their opening Group D match in Santa Clara, California on Monday after a back injury but will reappear when they face Panama in Chicago. "Leo trained normally, he will play," coach Gerardo Martino told a news conference on Thursday. Both sides have three points after Panama marked their first appearance in the world's oldest international tournament with a surprise 2-1 win over Bolivia, who face Chile in Foxborough on Friday.
The trend has generated a wave of social media memes and satire, and even the creation of an app that allows you to track where to get the coveted stickers. New stock has been selling out in a matter of hours.
Brazil playmaker Kaka said on Tuesday he is committed to AC Milan and had never asked for a transfer to Spanish champions Real Madrid.
Brazil's players have rejected the idea that Argentina will start as favourites in Sunday's Copa America final.
Brazil coach Dunga praised his team's courage in the face of adversity after they beat Uruguay on penalties following a 2-2 draw in their Copa America semi-final.
Defending champions Brazil will attempt to end a five-match winless run against their smaller neighbours Uruguay when they meet in Tuesday's Copa America semi-final.
Robinho scored a hat-trick to give Brazil a badly-needed 3-0 Copa America win over Chile.
Brazilian police said on Tuesday they had recommended no rape charges against soccer star Neymar, after a woman he met online said he flew her to Paris and assaulted her in a hotel there.
Barcelona must considerably reduce their wage bill in order to keep Lionel Messi, La Liga chief Javier Tebas said on Thursday, adding that the club would not be shown any leniency when it comes to obeying the league's strict financial control rules.
Brazil registered a 3-1 win over Bolivia in their World Cup qualifier on Sunday.
There is only one team in the world which can rest high profile players and still win.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said that all matches at the 2006 World Cup in Germany would be held on natural pitches.
Carlos Tevez scored from a free kick for the second game in a row in a 3-0 win in the Copa America football semi-final.
