Former Brazil worldwide Dani Alves has change into an evangelical preacher after being acquitted of rape by a Spanish appeals courtroom.
The previous Barcelona defender, who’s now 42, spent greater than a 12 months in jail earlier than his conviction was overturned. The case introduced his soccer profession, sponsorships, and marriage to the brink of collapse. He now says he has discovered peace by way of religion, months after profitable his enchantment.
Alves turns to religion
In a video circulating on social media, Alves is seen addressing an excited congregation at a church in Girona, Catalonia. He spoke about his rebirth and his renewed relationship with God.
“It’s important to have religion; I’m proof of that,” Alves stated, as reported by Ara.cat. “I’ll serve you, however handle my home,” he added, describing a pact he made with God. He additionally spoke about “the ability of God” and linked his non secular expertise to the start of his son. “Love is loving when one doesn’t deserve it,” he continued, earlier than concluding, “Within the midst of the storm, a messenger led me to the church.”
From conviction to acquittal
Alves was accused of sexually assaulting a 23-year-old girl in a nightclub in Barcelona on 31 December 2022. He was arrested the next month and held on the Brians II jail close to Barcelona.
In February 2024, a courtroom discovered him responsible and sentenced him to 4 years and 6 months in jail, ordering him to pay about €150,000 in compensation. Alves denied the allegation and appealed the decision.
After spending 14 months in custody, he was launched provisionally in March 2024 upon posting €1 million bail, surrendering his passports, and agreeing to weekly check-ins with the courtroom.
On 28 March 2025, a Barcelona appeals courtroom overturned his conviction, citing inconsistencies within the accuser’s testimony and inadequate proof to uphold the responsible verdict.
Nevertheless, Spain’s public prosecutors have since appealed that call to the nation’s Supreme Court docket, arguing that the acquittal was primarily based on an “irrational” interpretation of the proof.
