“Old things have passed away,” the biblical verse reads — and it appears former Brazil and Barcelona star Dani Alves has taken that message to heart.

The once flamboyant right-back, known for his boundless energy and attacking flair on the pitch, has embarked on a new and unexpected path — one defined by faith, humility, and redemption.

The ex-Barcelona star is now a pastor after life-changing encounter. The 42-year-old football legend has been seen delivering a heartfelt sermon at the Elim Girona Evangelical Church in Spain, where he shared his emotional journey from glory and scandal to spiritual awakening.

A New Calling

Alves, who now describes himself as “a disciple of Jesus Christ,” spoke passionately to a gathering of worshippers, recounting how faith helped him navigate one of the darkest chapters of his life — including a 14-month prison sentence tied to a sexual assault accusation.

He was later acquitted, but the experience, he said, transformed him deeply.

“In the middle of storms and suffering, there is always a messenger from God,” Alves told the congregation. “That messenger took me to church during the darkest moments of my life. I made a covenant with God. We must believe, my brothers. I am proof that God keeps His promises.”

As he preached and sang hymns with the congregation, videos of his testimony quickly went viral online — sparking both surprise and admiration for his newfound devotion.

A Legendary Career Revisited

Before his spiritual rebirth, Dani Alves was known as one of football’s most decorated players and arguably the finest right-back in the sport’s history.

Across a glittering career spanning over two decades, Alves played 883 official matches, scored 63 goals, and made 188 assists — collecting an astonishing 43 trophies, more than any other footballer.

During his eight seasons with FC Barcelona, he won:

• 6 La Liga titles
• 4 Copa del Rey titles
• 3 UEFA Champions Leagues
• 3 Spanish Super Cups
• 3 UEFA Super Cups
• 2 FIFA Club World Cups

He also represented Brazil 126 times, scoring eight goals, and was instrumental in multiple Copa América and Confederations Cup triumphs.

From Glory to Grace

Once celebrated for his samba flair and exuberant confidence, Alves now appears focused on a different kind of mission — spreading messages of faith, forgiveness, and inner peace.

Those close to him say he has embraced a quieter life in Girona, devoting his time to church activities and mentoring young people.

“Football gave me everything,” he once said. “But faith gave me back my life.”

For a man who once dazzled fans with crosses and dribbles, Dani Alves’ latest assists are spiritual — offering hope, healing, and testimony to the power of transformation.

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Barcelona said their request for a permit to return to the Camp Nou for Sunday’s LaLiga match against Real Sociedad has been denied, with the city council highlighting safety and security issues with the revamped venue.

Barca had been hoping to return to a reduced-capacity Camp Nou with 27,000 spectators but have failed to obtain the necessary permits from Barcelona City Council.

Barca will instead host the match at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Montjuic, where they played during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons with renovations at Camp Nou now nine months behind schedule.

“We have spotted different elements that need to be fixed and have an impact in the safety and security of the stadium,” chief of civil protection Sebastia Massague said at a city council meeting.

Barca had to begin their LaLiga home campaign at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in their own training complex, where only 6,000 fans attended their match against Valencia on September 14, after a Post Malone concert left the Lluis Companys pitch in poor condition.

“The club is currently working on the new amendments that the council has shared today,” Barca said in a statement.

On Friday, the Catalan club also announced that their Champions League group stage match against Paris St Germain on October 1 would also take place at the Lluis Companys.

Barca are second in LaLiga, trailing leaders Real Madrid by five points but having played a game fewer.

-Reuters

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Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey on Wednesday appeared in a London court and pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault involving three women.

Partey, a Ghana international, is accused of five counts of rape relating to two women, plus a charge of sexual assault against a third woman, between April 2021 and June 2022.

The alleged offences took place when Partey played for Premier League soccer club Arsenal. He left the club this summer and signed for Spain’s Villarreal.

The 32-year-old appeared in the dock at Southwark Crown Court and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth and enter his not guilty pleas.

Partey was released on bail ahead of his trial, which was listed for Nov. 2, 2026 and is due to take between six and eight weeks.

He was signed by Arsenal from Atletico Madrid for 50 million euros ($59.2 million) in 2020 and became a key member of the English side’s first team, before his contract expired at the end of June.

Partey played for Villarreal in their Champions League game against Arsenal’s bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night.

He came on as a second-half substitute and was booed loudly by the Spurs fans every time he touched the ball.

-Reuters

Villarreal and Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, who has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, walks outside Southwark Crown Court, in London, Britain, September 17, 2025. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska

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