Former Brazil international and Barcelona legend Dani Alves has completed the purchase of Portuguese side Sporting Clube de São João de Ver, marking a new chapter in his football journey.
According to ESPN, the 42-year-old is also considering signing a six-month playing contract with the club, raising the possibility of an unexpected return to competitive football.
Sporting Clube de São João de Ver, based in Portugal’s Aveiro District, is a modest outfit within the country’s football structure, but sources say Alves has backing from a group of Brazilian investors to finalise and strengthen the project.
Earlier this year, Dani Alves’ rape conviction was overturned on appeal by a Spanish court, which ruled there was insufficient evidence to dismiss his presumption of innocence. The former right-back had been out of football since January 2023, when he was arrested in Barcelona over allegations of sexual assault.
Dani Alves spent over a year in custody before being released in March 2024 after posting €1 million bail while awaiting the outcome of his appeal.
Since his release, he has remained involved in football behind the scenes, working mainly as an agent in Europe, while keeping alive plans to return to the pitch and eventually earn his coaching licence.
He has reportedly been training privately and believes he needs just 30 days to regain match fitness if he decides to play for his newly acquired club.
Dani Alves last featured professionally on January 8, 2023, for Mexican side Pumas, who terminated his contract shortly after his arrest.
