Former Barcelona star Dani Alves is spotted on a football pitch for the first time after Brazilian was released on bail following rape conviction
Former Barcelona defender Dani Alves has been spotted on a football pitch for the first time since his release from prison.
The disgraced footballer, who had appealed against a four-and-a-half year jail sentence after being found guilty of rape, was released from prison in March.
The 41-year-old posted a €1million (£850,000) bail to be released, reportedly paid by a Brazilian magazine in exchange for an interview.
Alves, who last played club football in 2023, made a brief return to the field as he took part in a match on an artificial turf pitch in Barcelona.
He reportedly used an app that allowed local players to organize informal matches even if they didn’t know each other.
Dani Alves has been spotted on a football pitch for the first time since his release from prison
Alves posted a €1million (£850,000) bail to be released after pleading guilty to rape
The Brazilian wore a Boca Juniors shirt despite not playing for the Argentine club during his illustrious career.
According to BrandInitially, Alves went unnoticed, but his presence was later noticed. Fans asked for photos after the match.
Alves has been provisionally released and is expected to attend the court hearing on Friday.
The former Brazil international was released from Brians 2 prison in March after serving 15 months in jail awaiting trial for the rape of a woman in December 2022.
In February of this year, he was found guilty and sentenced to four and a half years in prison. However, Alves has appealed the verdict. He will do so from his own home, after agreeing to a number of conditions imposed by the court.
The Brazilian is said to have used an app that allows local players to organise informal matches
Alves has surrendered both his Spanish and Brazilian passports and is required to attend court once a week to secure his freedom. He must first post a €1 million (£850,000) bail.
But since then he has been keen to make the most of life outside prison walls, and it is no surprise that football still gives him great joy.
