By Olukayode Olumuyiwa
Once hailed as football’s most decorated player with 43 major trophies, Dani Alves’ glittering career has been overshadowed by a high-profile legal battle that has captivated the world. The former Barcelona, Juventus, and PSG star faced allegations of sexual assault, a conviction, an acquittal, and a separate financial ruling that have redefined his legacy. Here is the full story of a football icon’s fall and fight for redemption.
The Night That Changed Everything
On December 30, 2022, a night at Barcelona’s Sutton nightclub turned Alves’ life upside down. A woman accused the Brazilian right-back of sexually assaulting her in a bathroom, alleging rape and coercion. Her claims were supported by DNA evidence on her clothing and a reported knee injury. CCTV footage, however, showed the pair dancing and interacting amicably in a private suite before entering the bathroom together, complicating the narrative.
Alves, then 39, initially denied knowing the woman but later admitted to a consensual, non-penetrative encounter, citing intoxication and marital issues. On January 20, 2023, Catalan police arrested him, and he was detained without bail in Brians 2 prison. The case, one of the first under Spain’s 2022 “Only Yes Means Yes” law emphasizing explicit consent, thrust Alves into uncharted legal territory.
The Trial and Conviction
By August 2023, a Barcelona court indicted Alves for sexual assault, finding sufficient evidence for trial. His contract with Mexican club Pumas UNAM was terminated for “just cause” due to his incarceration. The three-day trial in February 2024 saw intense testimony: the complainant described feeling trapped, while Alves maintained any interaction was consensual. Prosecutors sought a 12-year sentence while the defense highlighted inconsistencies in the accuser’s account.
On February 22, 2024, Barcelona’s Provincial Court convicted Alves of rape, sentencing him to four and a half years in prison, five years of supervised release, and ordering him to pay €150,000 in damages to the victim. He was also barred from approaching within 1,000 meters of her. Barcelona briefly removed Alves from their “Legends” list, only to reinstate him amid fan backlash. Sponsors such as Puma dropped him, and his marriage to model Joana Sanz ended in divorce proceedings.
A Stunning Reversal
After serving 14 months in prison, Alves posted a €1 million bail partly funded by allies including Neymar’s family on March 20, 2024. He was released under strict conditions which included surrendering his passports, weekly court check-ins, and a travel ban while his appeal was pending.
The tide turned on March 28, 2025, when Catalonia’s Superior Court of Justice unanimously acquitted Alves. Citing gaps, inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and contradictions in the evidence, particularly CCTV footage contradicting the complainant’s claim of an uncomfortable atmosphere, the court ruled the prosecution failed to meet the burden of proof under Spain’s consent law. All restrictions were lifted, and Alves walked free after 839 days of legal constraints.
The acquittal sparked polarized reactions. Supporters celebrated it as a triumph of justice, while critics, including former Spanish Equality Minister Irene Montero, called it patriarchal and warned it could deter victims from reporting. On May 7, 2025, the public prosecutor appealed to Spain’s Supreme Court, arguing the appellate court’s decision was erroneous and arbitrary. As of September 24, 2025, the Supreme Court has yet to rule, leaving the case open but Alves free.
A Financial Blow
Parallel to the criminal case, Alves faced a contractual dispute with Pumas UNAM. After his 2023 arrest, the club terminated his contract, citing his inability to return to Mexico. Initially, FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber ruled in Alves’ favor, but on September 1, 2025, the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the decision. Siding with Pumas, the CAS validated the termination and ordered Alves to pay up to five million dollars in damages, which the club described as a moral and financial victory.
A Tarnished Legacy
Once worth an estimated sixty million dollars, Alves has lost sponsors, his marriage, and much of his public image. The legal battles have tested Spain’s evolving sexual offense laws, born from the 2016 Pamplona gang-rape protests, and raised questions about evidence standards in consent-based cases. Social media discussions on platforms like X highlight ongoing debates, with some users decrying perceived gender biases and the accuser’s anonymity despite the acquittal.
What’s Next
As of September 2025, Alves remains free, but the Supreme Court appeal looms, potentially taking a year to resolve. The CAS ruling adds financial strain, and Alves has not returned to professional football. His story, a blend of 43 trophies, scandal, and a fight for vindication, remains unfinished.
For updates on this developing story, follow our coverage or check official court announcements.
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