Former Brazil and Barcelona legend Dani Alves has completed the acquisition of Sporting Clube de São João de Ver, a club competing in Portugal's third division (Liga 3). The 42-year-old, one of the most decorated players in football history with 43 major trophies, is backed by a group of Brazilian investors in this venture, marking his entry into club ownership.
Sources close to the deal indicate that Alves has finalized the purchase of the club's SAD (Sociedade Anônima Desportiva, similar to a corporate entity in Portuguese football), initially acquiring a significant stake with plans for full control. The investment is estimated at around €1 million, excluding ongoing operational costs.
In a surprising twist, Alves is seriously considering a return to professional football by signing a short-term playing contract with the club he now owns. Reports suggest he is contemplating a six-month deal, potentially from January to June 2026, to close out his career on the pitch. Alves, who has been training privately at home, believes he can regain match fitness in just 30 days.
This development comes nearly three years after his last professional appearance on January 8, 2023, for Mexican side Pumas UNAM, where he played before his contract was terminated following his arrest in Spain.
Sporting Clube de São João de Ver, founded on June 25, 1929, in the parish of São João de Ver, municipality of Santa Maria da Feira, Aveiro District, has a long but modest history in Portuguese football. Nicknamed "Malapeiros," the club spent much of its early decades in regional Aveiro leagues before ascending to national competitions in the late 1990s. It has competed in the third tier (Liga 3) in recent seasons, with limited success in national cups—though it reached the round of 16 in the 2024/25 Taça de Portugal. The team plays home matches at the Estádio Sporting Clube de São João de Ver and currently features several Brazilian players in its squad.
Alves' move into ownership aligns with a growing trend among retired stars entering club management or investment, similar to David Beckham's co-ownership of Inter Miami or Gerard Piqué's purchase of FC Andorra. For Alves, the project extends beyond finances: he aims to modernize infrastructure, develop young talent, and impose greater competitiveness on a club with only a handful of regional titles, the most recent being the Taça AF Aveiro in 2019.
Since his release from provisional detention in March 2024—after posting €1 million bail—Alves has worked behind the scenes in European football, acting as an agent while maintaining aspirations to return to playing and eventually pursue coaching qualifications. His legal troubles stemmed from allegations of sexual assault in Barcelona in late 2022, leading to his arrest on January 20, 2023. He spent over 14 months in preventive custody before bail was granted pending appeal.
Earlier in 2025, a Catalan appeals court overturned his initial conviction for sexual aggression, ruling there was insufficient evidence to override the presumption of innocence. The case has drawn significant media attention, and while Alves was acquitted on appeal, some reports note potential further review by higher courts, though no active proceedings are confirmed as of late 2025.
This acquisition and potential comeback represent a new chapter for Alves, who has publicly embraced faith in recent months, appearing as a preacher in evangelical settings in Spain. The deal allows him to blend his vast experience—gained at clubs like Sevilla, Barcelona (where he won multiple La Liga and Champions League titles), Juventus, PSG, and São Paulo—with administrative roles.
For Sporting Clube de São João de Ver, Alves' involvement could bring unprecedented visibility to a community-focused club in northern Portugal. Stakeholders hope his leadership will elevate the team's ambitions, potentially aiming for promotion to higher divisions.
As details emerge, football observers are intrigued by the prospect of seeing Alves, at 42, lace up his boots once more in competitive action. If realized, it would be a symbolic farewell for a player whose career was abruptly halted by off-field events, allowing him to end on his own terms.
This story underscores Alves' resilience and enduring passion for the game, transitioning from player to owner while contemplating one final stint on the field.
