Dani Alves has claimed ‘Christ has set me free’ following his prison stint, with the former Barcelona star now spreading the word of God.
Alves, 43, spent just over one year in prison after being convicted of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in 2022. His conviction was overturned in March 2025.
One of football’s most decorated players, Alves has rekindled his relationship with long-term partner Joana Sanz and embarked on a surprising new career path since his acquittal.
Last Saturday, the Brazilian appeared at Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium to deliver a speech at The Change Madrid 2026 – one of the largest contemporary Christian gatherings in Europe.
Alves has sought to spread the word of God since his release and his social media profiles heavily feature Bible passages.
He was the headline speaker at the Madrid event and revealed why he chose to convert to Christianity.
Dani Alves is spreading the word of God following the footballer’s release from prison
Alves spent 14 months behind bars after being found guilty of rape. His conviction was overturned in March 2025
Alves said: ‘I spent 14 months in prison, but in prison Christ set me free. I don’t know what prisons you may be facing, but Christ will break those prisons and walls.
‘When you have Christ, you are a new creation and the old things pass away.
‘I know what it’s like to be in football – I played in front of 80,000 people: that doesn’t impress me. There is power in Christ in this stadium! I have lost everything, but in losing everything I found Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
‘When you leave here, as Christ says: go and sin no more.’
Alves, who was a larger-than-life character in the Barcelona dressing room, insists he is ‘still crazy’ but says his energy has been focused on his faith.
‘I’m still crazy, but now I’m crazy for God,’ he said. ‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.’
‘Some say, “life is short and you have to live it.” Yes, but hell is eternal and must be avoided. Madrid, Spain – you belong to Christ!’
