The former soccer player gave testimony to thousands of people in Madrid, where he highlighted the role of faith during his 14-month detention for a cause of alleged sexual abuse of which he was acquitted
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After spending 14 months in prison for a cause of sexual abuse for which he was later acquitted, Dani Alves publicly reappeared in Madrid. The former right back participated as a speaker in the evangelical religious event The Change Madrid 2026 held at the Metropolitan Stadium of Atlético de Madrid, where he shared his experience during that period
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front of some 40,000 people, the Brazilian focused his message on faith and the spiritual impact he experienced during that period. “I spent 14 months in prison, there Christ set me free,” he said during his speech, one of the most resounding phrases of the day
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In a thoughtful and emphatic speech, Alves sought to convey his personal experience to the public: “I don't know what prisons you are facing, but Christ will break those jails and walls.” He added: "When you have Christ you are a new creature and old things happen.”
Dani Alves took refuge in faith during his imprisonment
The former player, who knew how to play on major world football stages, also made a comparison with his professional past: “I know what it's like to be in soccer, I played in front of 80,000 people: that doesn't impress me. There is Christ's power in this stadium! ”.
During his testimony, he highlighted the change he claims to have experienced in his life: “I have lost everything, but when I lost everything I found Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords”. And he followed the idea with a strong phrase: “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me”. The message closed with a warning addressed to those present: "Life is short and you have to live it. Yes, but hell is eternal and must be avoided.”
The court case involving him dates back to December 2023, when a woman reported him for sexual abuse in Barcelona. In the first instance, he was sentenced to four years in prison, but after the appeal of his defense, the High Court of Justice of Catalonia decided to acquit him in March 2025
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Since his release from prison, Alves turned more intensely to religion and began to participate in meetings of this type. At the same time, he also maintains a link with football: his participation as one of the owners of Sporting São João de Ver, a club in the lower divisions of Portugal, was recently confirmed
