Dani Alves Seeks Career Resumption After Release on Bail

Dani Alves, the 40-year-old former Barcelona defender, may make a stunning return to football after being released on bail.

He was sentenced to four and a half years in prison in February for the sexual assault of a young lady at a nightclub in Barcelona on December 31, 2022.

Alves was granted interim freedom last month after paying $1.08m in bond and surrendering his Brazilian and Spanish passports.

He must stay in Spain and appear in court weekly as part of the deal.

The appeal process may take months to be finished, with Alves' attorneys aiming for his acquittal.

The prosecution is seeking a nine-year jail term, which is twice the original sentence.

The victim's lawyer claimed that the message sent by Alves' release on bail is "very dangerous for society".

According to El Pais, a Spanish daily, Alves is hoping to have his conviction overturned and restore his reputation.

A comeback to professional soccer is allegedly in the cards for the former Brazil international should his appeal be successful.

But Spanish journalist Jesus Garcia Bueno believes that Alves has no intention of returning to the field in a playing capacity.

Alves appeared in court last week to confirm he had not escaped and made his first public statement since his conviction.

"It's what I have to do," he said, adding that he adapts to everything and survives wherever he goes.

Alves is still in Barcelona, unable to take any action on his future until his appeal hearing, and supposedly spends most of his time in his $5 million Spanish mansion.