Former Barcelona defender Dani Alves has embarked on a drastically different career months after his rape conviction was quashed.
Alves, who played 408 times for the Blaugrana across two spells, as well as enjoying spells with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, was initially found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in a Barcelona nightclub back in 2022.
At the time of his arrest, he was playing for Pumas UNAM in Mexico before his contract was terminated and he was sentenced to four and a half years in prison in February 2024.
However, a month later, the Brazil international was released on bail after he appealed and the matter was referred to a higher court, as per the BBC.
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The Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia ruled that the initial case contained "a series of gaps, inaccuracies, inconsistencies and contradictions regarding the facts" and Alves' conviction was subsequently overturned.
Alves, one of the most decorated footballers in history, had spent 14 months behind bars and his lawyer, Ines Guardiola, told RAC1 radio that "justice has spoken".
The 42-year-old had a travel ban and restraining order lifted and has now started a new life as a preacher, it has emerged.
On his Instagram, Alves' bio says he is a "Disciple of Jesus Christ" and he regularly posts biblical passages on his page, which has more than 30 million followers.
He recently attended the third youth congress of the Elim Church in Girona, with a video surfacing online of him singing, praying and preaching.
Leading prayers on a stage, he told those in attendance to "have faith in God" and that he is "proof of it", telling them, "In the midst of the storm, a messenger of God appeared. He led me to the Church and the path, and today I am here thanks to them.".
Reflecting on his time in prison, Alves added: “I asked God to take care of my home and the hearts of the people who wouldn’t abandon me. And I promised to serve him.”
When arrested and on trial, Alves split with wife Joana Sanz but the couple appeared to reconcile and move back together at their home in Esplugues de Llobregat.
Joana has since given birth to a newborn baby via IVF, having announced her pregnancy days after Alves' conviction was overturned and later taking part in a photoshoot as a couple.
Alves has not referenced becoming a father for the fist time on any of his social media channels.
Topics: Dani Alves
Josh Lawless