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Dani Alves

Dani Alves is a Brazilian former professional footballer known for playing primarily as a right-back and for a long club career in Brazil and Europe.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Dani Alves is a Brazilian former professional footballer known for playing primarily as a right-back and for a long club career in Brazil and Europe. He won major honours with clubs including Sevilla, Barcelona, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and São Paulo, and was a long-time Brazil international. In 2024, a Spanish court found him guilty of raping a woman in Barcelona and sentenced him to four and a half years in prison.

Early life

Alves was born in Juazeiro, Bahia, Brazil, and came from a modest background. He is the son of Domingos Alves da Silva, a farmer.

Club career

He started professionally at Bahia in 2001 and went on to play for Sevilla, Barcelona, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, São Paulo and UNAM. He is especially associated with Barcelona, where he won numerous domestic and European trophies.

International career

Alves was a long-serving member of the Brazil national team. He was widely regarded as one of the best full-backs of his generation.

Playing style and recognition

He played mainly as a right-back but was also used on the right side of midfield. Multiple sources describe him as one of the most decorated footballers in history.

In 2024, a Spanish court found Alves guilty of rape in connection with an incident at a Barcelona nightclub and sentenced him to four and a half years in prison. BBC also reported a further five years of probation.

Key facts

  • Dani Alves was born in Juazeiro, Bahia, Brazil on 6 May 1983.
  • He is best known as a right-back, though he also played wider and midfield roles.
  • He began his professional career with Bahia and later played for Sevilla, Barcelona, Juventus, PSG, São Paulo and UNAM.
  • He won major domestic and continental titles, especially with Barcelona, and earned 126 appearances for Brazil.
  • In 2024, a Spanish court convicted him of rape and sentenced him to four and a half years in prison.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Dani Alves?
Dani Alves is a Brazilian former professional footballer best known as a right-back and for his long career in Europe and Brazil.
What is Dani Alves’s full name?
His full name is Daniel Alves da Silva.
When was Dani Alves born?
He was born on 6 May 1983.
Which clubs did Dani Alves play for?
He played for Bahia, Sevilla, Barcelona, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, São Paulo and UNAM, among others.
What position did Dani Alves play?
He mainly played as a right-back, but he also appeared in right midfield and other wide roles.
Why is Dani Alves notable?
He is considered one of the most decorated footballers in history, and he also became widely known because of his 2024 rape conviction in Spain.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dani_Alves
    Supports: Birthplace and general biographical details
  2. Sportskeeda — https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/daniel-alves
    Supports: Date of birth, nationality, position, and club career overview
  3. German Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dani_Alves
    Supports: Career achievements, Barcelona honours, and retired status
  4. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/bio/_/id/30901/dani-alves
    Supports: Birthdate and nationality
  5. Transfermarkt — https://www.transfermarkt.com/dani-alves/profil/spieler/15951
    Supports: Position, birthplace, height, and retired status
  6. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68368372
    Supports: 2024 conviction, sentence, and career summary