Despite his ongoing legal battles, Dani Alves, the legendary Brazilian soccer playerr, has been seen back on the soccer field in Barcelona. Alves, who was released from prison in March after posting a $1 million bail, joined a casual match on an artificial turf field in the city.

Alves, a former player for top clubs like Barcelona, PSG, and Pumas, reportedly used a popular mobile app to organize the game. The app helps users find local players and set up informal matches, even if they don’t know each other. Alves attended the match with a group of friends and sported a Boca Juniors jersey, an Argentine club he’s never played for, adding an unexpected twist to his appearance.

The former soccer star, currently out on conditional release, shows he hasn’t lost his love for the game

Initially, the Brazilian footballer went unnoticed by the other players, but it wasn’t long before his presence caused a stir. Spectators began to recognize Alves, and after the game, several fans requested photos with him. This isn’t the first time Alves has played soccer recently; he also participated in prison matches during his 14-month stint at Brians 2 jail.

Dani was arrested and charged with sexual assault in January 2023, stemming from an alleged incident at a Barcelona nightclub. He was initially sentenced to four and a half years in prison, though he faced a potential 12-year term. After spending over a year behind bars, Alves was granted conditional release in March 2024, pending the payment of a $1 million bail. The football star is currently required to stay in Spain while his legal proceedings continue.

For now, Alves has not publicly commented on his future in professional soccer. Despite the legal situation, his love for the game remains evident as he continues to participate in local matches. Whether or not he returns to a professional pitch remains to be seen, but for the time being, Alves seems to find solace in the sport that defined much of his career.However, his legal team managed to reduce the punishment, allowing Alves to leave prison on conditional release. Though he’s now free, he remains in Spain and is prohibited from leaving the country until further notice.

For Alves, soccer appears to remain a source of joy and normalcy, even as his future remains uncertain.