Barcelona defender Dani Alves has waded into the Catalan independence debate, urging people to do their research before deciding on whether the region should secede from Spain.

The 31-year-old, who is expected to leave the Camp Nou at the end of the season upon the expiration of his contract, also claimed that "most people" calling for Catalonia to become independent "don't know what it entails".

The Brazilian international is quoted as saying by AS: "You have to be aware that there are pros and cons and you have to weigh them up against one another.

"It's important to have a very clear notion of what you will be losing and gaining through independence in order to know whether it will benefit your country or not.

"Most people calling for independence don't know what it entails."

The 'non-referendum popular consultation on the political future of Catalonia 2014' has been called for November 9 this year.