Former Brazil and Barcelona defender Dani Alves has reappeared in public — not on the football field, but behind a pulpit.
The 42-year-old was recently seen preaching at the Elim Pentecostal Church in Girona, Spain, even as the congregation faces an ongoing investigation for sexual abuse. Alves’ latest appearance marks a dramatic turn in his life following two turbulent years marked by legal battles and public scrutiny.
The ex-footballer was arrested in January 2023 while playing for Mexican club Pumas and later charged with rape. After months of investigation and a widely publicized trial, he was sentenced to four and a half years in prison in February 2024. However, he was later granted bail pending appeal and eventually acquitted of all charges — a decision prosecutors have since vowed to challenge.
Since his release, Dani Alves has embraced a newfound religious devotion, often sharing Bible verses and faith-based reflections on social media. His appearance at Elim Church — where he was filmed preaching to music before a congregation — appears to underscore this new direction.
Deputy Pastor Sammy Thomas, speaking to El Periódico, explained that Alves had been invited as a guest speaker for a youth program.
“We met Dani and we believe he has a great testimony to help young people,” Thomas said. “He loves God, wants to preach God and came to share with us. That’s all there is to it.”
Despite this, Dani Alves’ participation has drawn attention due to the controversies surrounding the church itself. According to Crónica Global, Elim’s branch in Terrassa, near Barcelona, is under investigation for multiple cases of sexual abuse, while a pastor has been accused of defrauding church members of nearly €19.4 million.
The Elim Pentecostal Church, which originated in El Salvador, has also faced links to far-right movements in Central America, and other international branches — including in England and New Zealand — have seen pastors convicted for similar offenses.
While Dani Alves’ sermon was reportedly a one-time guest appearance, his association with a church under criminal investigation has raised new questions about his public image, rehabilitation, and choice of platform.
