GIRONA, SPAIN – Former Brazil and FC Barcelona star Dani Alves has reportedly become a pastor at a church in Spain, according to multiple sources, including renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The ex-defender was recently released from prison after serving 14 months over a rape conviction.
Alves was found guilty last year of raping a woman in a nightclub.
In March, the Spanish court overturned the ruling, citing ‘insufficient evidence’, with Alves winning the appeal and paying bail for his release.
He was released after paying €1 million (then $1.2 million) for bail while awaiting his appeal.
He also handed over his passports, with prosecutors having argued against releasing him on bail because of a possible flight risk.
Meanwhile, Alves made his first public appearance since his release at an evangelical service in Girona, a city about 100 kilometres from Barcelona.
“You have to take the things of God seriously. I am proof of that. I made a pact with God,” Alves said during his sermon.
Alves, now 41, is one of the most successful players of his generation.
He won dozens of titles with Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
He also helped Brazil win two Copa Americas and an Olympic gold medal at the age 38.
Alves played at his third World Cup in 2022, the only major title he didn’t win.
He played for Barcelona from 2008-2016, helping the team win three Champions Leagues and six Spanish leagues and briefly rejoined the club in 2022.
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