Dani Alves wants Atletico to win Champions League

Barcelona defender Dani Alves admits he is hoping Atletico Madrid prevail over bitter rivals Real Madrid in Saturday's much-awaited Champions League final.

Diego Simeone's Atletico knocked defending champions Barcelona out of the tournament in the quarter-final stage, before edging past Bayern Munich in the semis. 

Madrid are the only team that stand in Atletico's way of a maiden Champions League crown, in a rematch of the 2014 final that ended 4-1 in favour of the former after extra time. 

"I want Atletico to win in. But not just because I want Madrid to lose," the 33-year-old told AS. 

"I like it when Madrid doesn't win, that is obvious. But I want Atletico to win it because they are a team that has worked for it. 

"They deserve a title of this level, and they come into it competing with the most. 

"Madrid already have many Champions [League trophies]. I would like Atletico to have a prize for all the work they have done in recent years."