Dani Alves, once hailed as one of the best right-sided players in the world, is now facing a drastically different life. The former football star has been convicted of a serious sex crime and sentenced to a lengthy prison term.
Why is Dani Alves in prison?
Brazilian international Dani Alves was accused of raping a woman in a nightclub in Barcelona on December 30, 2022. In a trial held in Barcelona in February 2024, the footballer denied the allegations and said the encounter had been consensual.
Held at Barcelona’s Audiencia Provincial Court, the trial lasted three days and saw the victim, witnesses, and experts testify. Alves had previously confirmed he had sex with a woman in the nightclub’s toilet but insisted it was consensual.
His accuser told the prosecution that she had willingly entered the bathroom with him, but that he forced her to stay after she wanted to leave. In court, she claimed that he was aggressive with her, slapping her and insulting her, and then forced her to have sex with him.
Following the trial, Alves was found guilty of raping the woman.
How long will Dani Alves go to jail for?
Alves was sentenced to four-and-a-half years behind bars for the rape. The court also ordered Alves to pay £130K (150,000 euros) in compensation to the victim. The ruling included a nine-and-a-half-year restraining order from the accuser.
The court said in a statement: “The sentence considers that it has been proven that the victim did not consent and that there is evidence, in addition to the testimony of the plaintiff, to consider the rape proven.” Following the sentence, Alves was sent to Brians 2 prison in Barcelona.
He had previously been held in pre-trial detention since his arrest in January 2023. Alves can appeal his sentence.
Who is Dani Alves?
Alves’s new life behind bars is a far cry from his career as a footballer, which included him playing as a right-back for La Liga side Barcelona. During his time on the pitch, he won six La Liga titles, two Ligue 1 titles and the Serie A. Alves also won the UEFA Champions League on three occasions while playing for Barcelona in 2009, 2011, and 2015.
After a successful spell in Spain, Alves moved to Juventus in 2016 on a free transfer. He helped the Turin club to a League title, a Coppa Italia and was an important part of the side that reached the 2017 UEFA Champions League final, losing to Real Madrid. After just one season in Italy, Alves joined French side Paris Saint-Germain, where he enjoyed further trophy success.
After a spell at Sao Paulo in Brazil, Alves re-joined Barcelona in 2021, playing under former teammate Xavi. He left for a second time in 2022 after 17 appearances, signing for UNAM in Mexico, playing 13 games before they terminated his contract in 2023.
