Back in the game – Dani Alves becomes owner and player of Portuguese club

Former Barcelona right-back Dani Alves is reportedly on the verge of an extraordinary comeback, with plans to buy a Portuguese club and lace up his boots again at the age of 42. The ex-Brazil international had his rape conviction overturned by a Spanish court in March 2025, a decision that cleared the way for him to move forward with his life.

While he was initially expected to remain away from the spotlight, Alves is now weighing up a return to competitive football in an unexpected setting. ESPN reports that he has “finalised details to acquire Portuguese third division club Sporting Clube de Sao Joao de Ver”, with the decorated defender also expected to agree a six-month contract as a player.

Alves has not featured in an official match since January 2023, when his contract with Mexican outfit Pumas UNAM was terminated after his arrest on sexual assault allegations. He spent more than a year in custody, from January 20, 2023 until March 2024, before being released on bail after posting a 1 million euros bond while awaiting the outcome of his appeal. Catalunya’s High Court of Justice ultimately ruled in his favour, unanimously concluding there was “insufficient evidence” to overturn his presumption of innocence.

In its verdict, the court stated that the original judgment “contains, throughout the reasoning, a series of gaps, inaccuracies, inconsistencies and contradictions regarding the facts, the legal assessment and their consequences. The complainant's account, which should have been subjected to greater scrutiny, has not been compared with the fingerprint and biological evidence, which support the defence's argument.”

As a result, all measures imposed on Alves, including travel restrictions and a restraining order, were removed. His lawyer, Ines Guardiola, reacted by saying: “Alves is very happy. He is innocent, that is demonstrated. Justice has spoken.”

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During a glittering career, Alves collected six La Liga titles, three Champions League trophies and the FIFA Club World Cup with Barcelona. He also lifted league titles in both Italy and France with Juventus and PSG, claimed two UEFA Cups with Sevilla, and crowned his international career by winning Olympic gold with Brazil at the age of 38 in 2021.

Since leaving prison, Alves has, according to ESPN, been operating “behind the scenes in football, especially in Europe, as an agent, but always with the idea of returning to the pitch and eventually getting his coaching certificate”.

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The veteran has followed a personalised fitness regime and reportedly “believes he only needs 30 days to regain match fitness and be available for his new team”. If everything falls into place, Portugal could soon provide the stage for one of football’s most unlikely late-career chapters.