Dani Alves, a name once celebrated in the footballing world, experienced a dramatic fall from grace following accusations of sexual assault. The former Barcelona star's journey took a dark turn, leading to imprisonment, loss of sponsors, and severe damage to his reputation.

The Allegations and Arrest:

In January 2023, Alves was arrested by Catalan police and held in custody without bail following accusations of sexual assault. The alleged incident occurred in a Barcelona nightclub on December 30, 2022. A 23-year-old woman filed an official complaint, triggering a series of events that garnered significant media attention. Alves, initially denying any sexual contact, later changed his story, admitting to consensual relations with the woman. He claimed he had been trying to protect his marriage by not admitting the encounter.

The Trial and Conviction:

The trial began in February 2024, focusing on whether the sexual act was consensual. The court found Alves guilty of sexual assault, asserting that the victim did not consent and that evidence corroborated her testimony. He was sentenced to four and a half years in prison and ordered to pay €150,000 to the victim. The court also imposed a restraining order, preventing Alves from contacting the victim for nine and a half years.

Imprisonment and Bail:

Alves was held in custody from January 2023. He made several attempts to secure bail, but these were initially denied because the court considered him a flight risk, given that Brazil does not extradite its citizens. In March 2024, he was granted bail of €1 million, on the condition that he surrender his Brazilian and Spanish passports, remain in Spain, and present himself to court weekly. Alves was released from prison after serving 14 months.

Loss of Sponsors and Financial Repercussions:

The sexual assault allegations and subsequent imprisonment led to the termination of several advertising and sponsorship deals. Companies such as Hygia Saúde, 1xPartners, and Ethika ended their relationships with Alves. Adidas also chose not to renew its agreement with the footballer. Furthermore, his contract with Liga MX club Pumas UNAM was terminated, and the club sought €4.5 million in compensation for breach of contract. Alves' lawyers revealed that he lost between €30,000 and €50,000 related to image rights and sponsorships.

Reputational Damage:

The case has severely damaged Alves's reputation. Barcelona revoked his club legend status. Media coverage and public debate contributed to a negative perception of Alves, significantly deteriorating his public image. Despite his acquittal, Alves remains a controversial figure. Managing his image will require transparency, discretion, and potentially staying out of the spotlight.

Appeal and Overturned Conviction:

Alves appealed his conviction, and in March 2025, a Spanish court overturned the ruling. The appeals court cited "insufficient evidence" to rule out Alves' presumption of innocence and pointed to "inconsistencies and contradictions" in the case against him. The court noted that the plaintiff's testimony "differed notably" from video footage. The judges also stated that Alves's right to the presumption of innocence had been denied during the trial. Alves's lawyer stated, "Alves is very happy. He is innocent, that is demonstrated. Justice has spoken".

The Alves case has sparked debate about sexual violence and the responsibilities of public figures. The overturning of his conviction highlights the importance of due process and fair judicial proceedings.