Defender Dani Alves exudes confidence in his ability to overcome any challenges while awaiting final sentencing for sexual assault charges.
On February 22, Alves was ordered by the Barcelona court to pay €150,000 (over $162,000 USD) in compensation to the victim as well as legal expenses for the trial. The former Barcelona and PSG defender also faces an additional 5 years of legal supervision and a 9-year, 6-month restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim.
By March 25, after posting a $1.1 million bail, Alves was placed under house arrest while awaiting the final sentencing for the sexual assault charges. Apart from the bail, Alves surrendered his passport, must report to the police weekly, and is restricted from contacting or coming within 1 km of the accuser.
When asked about his current situation, Alves told El Periodico, “Every Friday, I go to court, and that’s it. It’s what I have to do. I don’t have much else to do.” The Brazilian defender declined to comment on specific details of the case but stated, “The match I have to play is in the courtroom.” He also admitted uncertainty about the duration of the trial before the final sentencing.
However, the 40-year-old defender remains confident in his ability to overcome any challenges, even the prospect of continued incarceration. “Wherever I go, I survive. I adapt to everything because I always believe it’s not the place that shapes the person, but the person who shapes the place.”
According to Mundo Deportivo, the interview took place before Alves dined at Mr. Porter restaurant, located on the ground floor of the Sir Victor hotel in Barcelona. Alves, accompanied by his friend Bruno Brasil, was reportedly dressed in a white T-shirt and loose-fitting sports pants.
The menu they enjoyed included grilled garlic, spicy peppers, grilled osso buco lamb, 100 grams of well-cooked wagyu beef, grilled polenta with various meats, Thai sauce with coconut, mango, and lime zest, and Pinot Noir wine.
Due to financial constraints, Alves could not afford the bail himself. According to Spanish journalist Marisa Martin Blazquez, a prominent Brazilian magazine agreed to post bail in exchange for an interview with Alves. Blazquez stated that the agreement included certain conditions, such as the interview being conducted as a documentary and Joana’s participation being required.
On Instagram, Alves wrote, “Any interview I give to any media outlet is not true, and I will not do it until the court process is resolved.” It is currently unclear whether Alves referred to statements published by El Periodico or rumors from journalist Blazquez.
Upon release, Alves returned to his villa in Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, and reportedly reconciled with his wife Joana Sanz. On April 1, Sanz shared a loving photo on Instagram of the couple holding hands, both sporting matching tattoos of “1+1=1” to symbolize their love.
However, Alves’ ex-wife Dinorah Santana is among those who have spoken out against his house arrest. Santana, who shares two children with Alves, initially supported him, asserting that the Brazilian defender never committed sexual assault. However, she later felt manipulated and considered Alves “dead to her.”