Former Barcelona and Brazil full-back Dani Alves has become the co-owner of Portuguese third-division club Sporting Clube de Sao Joao de Ver.
The 42-year-old, who last played for Mexican club Pumas in January 2023, had a conviction of sexual assault and a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence overturned by an appeals court in March 2025.
Alves, who also played for Sevilla, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, was initially sentenced in February 2024 for an alleged sexual assault at a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022.
He was released in March 2024 after his defence deposited his €1million ($1.17m) bail while awaiting the outcome of the appeal against the initial ruling.
In March 2025, the High Court of Justice of Catalonia deemed, via a panel of four judges, that the initial conviction contained “inaccuracies” and Alves was acquitted. He always denied the accusation against him.
“This union symbolises more than a structural change,” a Sao Joao de Ver statement said on Thursday.
“Dani Alves brings global vision, winning mentality and ambition. Sao Joao de Ver offers identity, community, and a history built with effort. Together, we turn into a larger, sustainable and inspiring project.
“This is a turning point that reinforces confidence in the project, the people around it and the values that have always defined the club. A clear commitment to sustained growth, to valuing your history, and to building a solid, responsible and passionate future.”
Sao Joao de Ver play in Liga 3, Portuguese football’s third tier, and have never played in the top flight. The club is based in the Aveiro District, in the Porto Metropolitan Area.
Alves scored 75 goals across a professional career spanning 1,035 matches at club and international level.
