New Delhi, Feb 23: Former professional Brazilian football star Dani Alves has been sentenced to four and a half years in jail after his conviction for the rape of a Spanish woman in a Barcelona nightclub in 2022.
Dani Alves (Daniel Alves da Silva), 40, is widely considered one of the greatest full-backs of all time, and among the most decorated players in the history of professional football, with 43 senior titles.
The incident happened in December 2022 in Barcelona City, where he went to the nightclub. The victim took the case to court in January 2023.
Dani’s lawyer, Ines Guardiola, said the player will appeal against the ruling. “I’m still convinced that Dani is innocent.” Alves played for FC Barcelona from 2008 to 2016.
He is Brazil’s third most-capped player of all time and was included in his country’s squad three times in three world cups, and five Copa America tournaments.