Dani Alves, once the most decorated player in world football, is planning a return to the game in Portugal after being cleared in a sexual assault case that derailed his career in 2023.
The 42-year-old Brazilian, who won 43 trophies during a career spanning Barcelona, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil, has remained determined to play again despite spending more than a year in prison before being released on bail and later acquitted.
Alves was arrested in January 2023 over an incident involving a woman at a nightclub in Barcelona the previous December. Following his release on bail, he explored a comeback to professional football but found no club willing to offer him a contract.
According to Portuguese media, Alves has now moved to buy a controlling stake in São João de Ver, a club competing in Portugal’s third division. He is expected to initially acquire 50 per cent ownership and register as a player on a six-month contract.
The plan, as reported, is for Alves to retire at the end of that spell and then complete the purchase of the remaining shares, taking full control of the club. São João de Ver currently have three Brazilian players in their squad, including former Palmeiras winger Washington.
Alves last played professionally in January 2023 for Pumas in Mexico’s Liga MX. The club terminated his contract shortly after his arrest.
If completed, the deal would mark an unusual route back into football for one of the game’s most successful players, blending ownership and a brief return on the pitch at the closing stage of his career.
