Dani Alves, a former global football star, has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison in Spain for sexual assault. He was once a key player for Barcelona and a major part of their success between 2008 and 2016. Despite being the second-most decorated footballer in history, his recent fall from grace has been dramatic. He was arrested in December 2022 for raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub. His conviction was upheld by the court after a hearing earlier today.
After spending the last 13 months in a detention facility, Alves will serve his sentence and be on supervised probation for five years. Additionally, he was ordered to pay the victim €150,000 in compensation. Alves began his career at Bahia in Brazil before moving to Spain to join Sevilla. He later played for Barcelona, winning numerous titles and forming a successful partnership with Lionel Messi.
Known for his charismatic personality and upbeat demeanor, Alves was a fan favorite both on and off the field. Despite his success at club level, his international career with Brazil was not as fruitful. His downfall following the sexual assault conviction has tarnished his once positive reputation. The court’s verdict will likely forever change how Alves is viewed in the public eye.