Dani Alves is the most decorated footballer in history, but is now a convicted rapist – a profile of the ex-Brazil and Barcelona defender’s career as he now spends four and a half years in a Spanish prison
Dani Alves is regarded as one of the best right-backs to ever play the game. It wasn’t just his ability on the ball that kept him in these conversations, but it was also the impressive trophy cabinet he is proud of.
However, talk surrounding Alves has now turned bitter after the former Barcelona star was sentenced to four years and six months in prison for rape.
Mail Sport looks at the rise and fall of the ex-Brazil international who rose from humble beginnings to superstardom before tarnishing his legacy following an incident that took place on December 30, 2022.
The personal life of Dani Alves
Early life
Alves was born in Juazeiro, State of Bahia in Brazil on May 6, 1983. He was born in a poor family to father Domingos Alves Da Silva and mother Dona Lucia.
His father was a farmer, while his mother was a housewife. Alves has a brother Ney Alves.
Dani Alves was charged with a prison sentence of four years and six months for rape
Alves was considered one of the best right-sided players in football and played with some of the greats including Messi, Neymar and Iniesta
Alves’ father Domingos said at a young age that Dani would always be playing football.
Alves Sr even credits himself with helping Alves Jr. put him in the position he is known for. He claims that his son played as a right winger when he was six, but due to a lack of goals scored he switched his position to right back.
Alves has one brother Ney, they are very close and often appear on each other’s social media accounts
How old is Alves?
Dani Alves is 40 years old.
Dani Alves Relationships
The 40-year-old has been married twice. He married his first wife Dinora Santana in 2008, after they first started dating on New Year’s Day in 2005.
The marriage lasted only three years and they went their separate ways and divorced in 2011.
The reason behind the divorce has not been revealed until now, but at the time there were rumors that Alves had flirted with Brazilian soap actress Thaissa Carvalho.
Alves remarried in 2017 to Spanish model Joana Sanz (who is 10 years his junior) in a secret ceremony in Ibiza.
Sanz announced she would divorce Alves in 2023 after he admitted to having sexual relations with the women involved in his sexual assault case.
Alves had two children with first wife Dinora Santana whom he married in 2008
Alves remarried in 2017 to Spanish model Joana Sanz
Alves’ ex-wife attended the court hearing with his mother Lucia when the verdict was read out
The couple married in a secret ceremony in Ibiza in 2017, Sanz is 10 years younger than him
Does Dani Alves have children?
Alves has two children, a boy and a girl from his first marriage to Dinora Santana.
His firstborn child Victoria was born in October 2007 and his youngest son Daniel Alves’ birthday is unknown.
Dani Alves career
Who did Dani Alves play for?
- Bahia (2001–2003)
- Seville (2003–2008)
- Barcelona (2008–16)
- Juventus (2016-17)
- PSG (2017-19)
- Sao Paulo (2019-21)
- Barcelona (2021-22)
- UNAM (2022-23)
Alves started his professional football career with his boyhood club Bahia before joining Sevilla in 2003.
It was in Seville that Alves proved himself as one of the best right-backs to ever play the game.
His outstanding performances caught the attention of many European football giants, with interest from Liverpool and Chelsea.
Eventually an offer came that neither Alves nor Sevilla could reject, much to the chagrin of the Sevilla fans.
Alves had his breakthrough season at Sevilla and attracted attention from clubs such as Liverpool and Chelsea before eventually moving to Barcelona
On July 2, 2008, Alves joined Barcelona for £23 million, with around £7 million extra if Alves stepped up – which he did.
Here. he became a club legend, winning six LaLiga titles, three Champions Leagues, three FIFA Club World Cups, four Copa del Reys, four Supercopa de Espanas and three UEFA Super Cups.
Alves then played for Italian giants Juventus for the 2016-17 season before joining PSG from 2017 to 2019. He then returned to his home country of Brazil to play for Sao Paulo from 2019-2021.
In 2021-2022 he returned for a season to the club that made it all possible for him, Barcelona, before leaving for Mexican side UNAM.
He also played for the Brazilian national team from 2006 to 2022.
Dani Alves enjoyed most of his success as a Barcelona player. He won 23 trophies during his time playing for them
Alves played for Brazil from 2006 to 2022, winning two Copa Americas during his time. He also captained the 2020 Olympic gold medal-winning Brazilian team
Mexican side UNAM, the last club Alves played for, he enjoyed a short spell at the club after leaving Barcelona for the second time
How many trophies has Alves won?
Dani Alves is the most decorated player in history.
His official trophy total is a whopping 43 trophies.
What is Dani Alves’ net worth?
Dani Alves’ net worth is estimated at around $60 million (£47 million).
Dani Alves won no fewer than six trophies in 2009
What is Dani Alves’ greatest achievement?
One of Alves’ most impressive achievements is winning the 2020 Olympic gold with Brazil as captain, making him the oldest player to achieve this milestone.
He also managed to win a whopping six trophies in 2009.
During that roll call he won LaLiga, Champions League, Copa Del Rey, Supercopa de Espana, UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA World Cup.