Dani Alves is the most-decorated footballer in history but is now a convicted rapist - a profile of the ex-Brazil and Barcelona defender's career as he now serves four-and-a-half years in a Spanish prison
- Dani Alves is the most decorated player in history with 43 trophies
- The 40-year-old was charged with rape and will serve four years in prison
- Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane? Which five players should have played in the Premier League? Listen to the It's All Kicking Off podcast
Dani Alves is regarded as one of the best right backs to ever play the game. Not only was it his skill on the ball that kept him in these conversations, but it was also the impressive trophy cabinet he boasts as well.
However, the conversations now around Alves have turned bitter after the former Barcelona star was sentenced to serve four years and six months in prison for rape.
Mail Sport takes a look at the rise and fall of the ex-Brazil international who worked his way up from humble beginnings to superstardom before tarnishing his legacy as a result of an incident which took place on December 30, 2022.
Dani Alves' personal life
Early life
Alves was born in Juazeiro, State of Bahia in Brazil on May 6, 1983. He was born into a poor family to father Domingos Alves Da Silva and mother Dona Lucia.
His father was a farmer, whilst his mother was a housewife. Alves has a brother Ney Alves.
![Dani Alves was charged with a four year and six months prison sentence for rape](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/22/10/81571985-0-image-a-1_1708597421085.jpg)
Dani Alves was charged with a four year and six months prison sentence for rape
![Alves was regarded as one of the best right-sided players in football and played with some of the greats including Messi, Neymar and Iniesta](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/22/10/81572031-0-image-m-6_1708597539704.jpg)
Alves was regarded as one of the best right-sided players in football and played with some of the greats including Messi, Neymar and Iniesta
Alves' father Domingos said at a young age that Dani would always be out playing football.
Alves Sr even credits himself for putting Alves Jr in the position he is renowned for. He claims his son used to play as a right winger when he was six but because of a lack of goals scored he switched his position to right back.
![Alves has one brother Ney, they are very close and often appear on each other's social media accounts](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/22/11/81574559-13112969-image-m-36_1708601922243.jpg)
Alves has one brother Ney, they are very close and often appear on each other's social media accounts
How old is Alves?
Dani Alves is 40-years-old.
Dani Alves relationships
The 40-year-old has been married twice. He married his first wife Dinora Santana in 2008, after they first started dating on New Year's Day in 2005.
The marriage lasted just three years and they went their separate ways and divorced in 2011.
The reason behind the divorce to date has not been revealed but at the time there were rumours Alves had flirted with Brazilian soap actress Thaissa Carvalho.
Alves got remarried in 2017 to Spanish model Joana Sanz, (who is 10 years his junior) in a secret ceremony in Ibiza.
Sanz announced that she would be divorcing Alves in 2023 after he admitted to having sexual relations with the women involved in his assault case.
![Alves had two children with first wife Dinora Santana who he married in 2008](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/22/11/81574541-13112969-image-a-32_1708601835497.jpg)
Alves had two children with first wife Dinora Santana who he married in 2008
![Alves got remarried in 2017 to Spanish model Joana Sanz](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/22/11/81574535-13112969-image-a-33_1708601869542.jpg)
Alves got remarried in 2017 to Spanish model Joana Sanz
![Alves' ex-wife attended his court hearing with his mother Lucia as the verdict was read out](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/22/11/81571999-13112969-image-a-11_1708600816246.jpg)
Alves' ex-wife attended his court hearing with his mother Lucia as the verdict was read out
![The pair got married in a secret ceremony in Ibiza back in 2017, Sanz is 10 years his junior](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/22/11/81574537-13112969-image-a-37_1708601941428.jpg)
The pair got married in a secret ceremony in Ibiza back in 2017, Sanz is 10 years his junior
Does Dani Alves have children?
Alves has two children, a boy and a girl from his first marriage with Dinora Santana.
His first born child Victoria was born in October, 2007 and his younger son Daniel Alves' birthday is unknown.
Dani Alves career
Who did Dani Alves play for?
- Bahia (2001–03)
- Sevilla (2003–08)
- Barcelona (2008-16)
- Juventus (2016-17)
- PSG (2017-19)
- São Paulo (2019-21)
- Barcelona (2021-22)
- UNAM (2022-23)
Alves started out his professional football journey at his boyhood club Bahia before joining Sevilla in 2003.
It was at Sevilla Alves proved himself as one of the best right-backs to ever play the game.
His outstanding performances got the attention of many of football's European giants with interest coming from Liverpool and Chelsea.
Eventually an offer came that neither Alves or Sevilla could turn down much to the heartbreak of the Sevilla fans.
![Alves had his breakout season at Sevilla, receiving attention from clubs like Liverpool and Chelsea before eventually moving to Barcelona](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/22/11/81574053-13112969-image-a-12_1708600960315.jpg)
Alves had his breakout season at Sevilla, receiving attention from clubs like Liverpool and Chelsea before eventually moving to Barcelona
On July 2, 2008 Alves joined Barcelona for £23million, with approximately £7m more to be added on if Alves performed - which he duly did.
Here. he became a club legend winning six LaLiga titles, three Champions Leagues, three FIFA Club World Cups, four Copa del Rey's, four Supercopa de Espanas and three UEFA Super Cups.
Alves then went on to play for Italian giants Juventus for the 2016-17 season before joining PSG from 2017 to 2019. He then returned to his homeland Brazil to play for Sao Paulo from 2019-2021.
In 2021-22 he re-joined the club that made it all happen for him, Barcelona for a season before leaving to join Mexican side UNAM.
He also played for the Brazil national team from 2006 to 2022.
![Dani Alves enjoyed the majority of his success as a Barcelona player, he won 23 trophies during his time playing for them](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/22/11/81572027-13112969-image-a-8_1708600492376.jpg)
Dani Alves enjoyed the majority of his success as a Barcelona player, he won 23 trophies during his time playing for them
![Alves played for Brazil from 2006 to 2022, winning two Copa America's during his time. He also captained the 2020 Olympic gold medal wining Brazil team](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/22/11/81572017-13112969-image-a-10_1708600536824.jpg)
Alves played for Brazil from 2006 to 2022, winning two Copa America's during his time. He also captained the 2020 Olympic gold medal wining Brazil team
![Mexican side UNAM, were the last club Alves played for, he enjoyed a brief stint at the club after he departed Barcelona for the second time](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/22/11/81572023-13112969-image-a-9_1708600498644.jpg)
Mexican side UNAM, were the last club Alves played for, he enjoyed a brief stint at the club after he departed Barcelona for the second time
How many Trophies has Alves won?
Dani Alves is the most decorated player in history.
His official trophy tallies stands at a whopping 43 trophies.
What is Dani Alves' net worth?
Dani Alves' net worth is estimated to be around $60m (£47m).
![Dani Alves won an impressive six trophies in 2009](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/22/11/81573847-13112969-image-a-7_1708600466453.jpg)
Dani Alves won an impressive six trophies in 2009
What is Dani Alves greatest achievement?
One of Alves' most impressive achievements is winning the 2020 Olympic gold with Brazil as their captain, making him the oldest player to achieve this milestone.
He also managed to win an eye-watering six trophies back in 2009.
That roll call saw him win LaLiga, Champions League, Copa Del Rey, Supercopa de Espana, UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA World Cup.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/02/636x90_facebook_ad_sport.png)