AFCON 2025
Former Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves has turned to Christianity after his sexual assault case, which he spent 14 months in prison.
Dani Alves was seen preaching in a church in Girona, Spain, sharing his experience as he declared that he is proof that faith in God truly works.
The former Barcelona and PSG defender revealed that he made a pact with God during his ordeal behind bars.
“You have to have faith in God. I am proof of that. I made a pact with God.”
Alves was seen singing passionately in a local church before preaching to the congregation.
What happened to Dani Alves?
A 23-year-old model claimed Dani Alves ra/ped her at the VIP bathroom of a nightclub in Barcelona on December 31st, 2022.
She claimed Dani Alves and his friends bought champagne for her and two of her friends.
Then, forced her into the bathroom, grabbed, slapped, insulted, and her threw her on the floor and violently raped her.
The case against Dani Alves began with a serious accusation from a young woman who claimed he had violently raped her in a nightclub bathroom after buying champagne for her and her friends. She described being lured unknowingly into the bathroom, assaulted, and left in emotional distress.
Dani Alves initially denied knowing her, later admitted to the encounter, and insisted it was consensual. The woman demanded €150,000 in compensation and a prison sentence of up to 12 years, while Alves maintained that she willingly participated.
In early 2023, Alves was detained, found guilty of rape, and sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison, along with 5 years of probation and a €150,000 payment—reportedly covered by Neymar. He remained in jail until April 2024, when he secured bail, allegedly paid by Memphis Depay, though this was disputed.
Alves appealed the conviction, and in March 2025, the court overturned the verdict, citing insufficient evidence to dismiss his presumption of innocence. New video footage showed the woman entering and exiting the bathroom willingly and continuing to party afterward, contradicting her initial claims.
Following the conviction, Alves’ wife, Joana Sanz, announced a divorce due to emotional strain, but later reconciled with him and is reportedly pregnant. Meanwhile, Alves faces a $2.2 million fine from his former club MX Puma for breaching a conduct clause related to the sexual assault allegations.
The original fine of $5 million was reduced by the Court of Arbitration, though Alves has not yet appealed the decision.
