Dani Alves Prefers Prison Earnings Over Football Wealth

Dani Alves, a former Barcelona player, stated that he was happier earning €113 in prison than during his football career where he made millions. This remark was made during a church service in Guatemala, where he is now preaching as part of a new life following his release from prison in Spain.

Alves spent 14 months in preventive detention after being arrested in January 2023 on charges of sexual assault at a Barcelona nightclub. He was convicted in February 2024 and sentenced to four and a half years in prison.

Alves was released in March 2024 after paying a €1 million bail. In March 2025, Spain's Superior Court of Justice in Catalonia overturned his conviction, citing insufficient evidence.

Alves, regarded as one of the greatest right-backs in football history, won 40 major trophies during his career, including multiple UEFA Champions League titles and two FIFA World Cups with Brazil. His professional career effectively ended due to the legal proceedings following his time at Mexican club Pumas.