Dani Alves Convicted: A Look at 11 Football Stars Who Have Served Jail Time

This verdict, delivered on Thursday 22.02.2024, has sent shockwaves through the football community. However, it's reported that without the financial assistance of his longtime friend Neymar Jr, Alves could have faced a much harsher sentence of ten years behind bars.

Beyond the legal ramifications, the once-revered right-back, who has enjoyed stints at FC Barcelona, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain, has seen his personal life unravel, losing his wife and facing financial ruin. It's a stark new reality for the second-most decorated player in football history.

Alves joins a list of 11 football stars who have previously served time in prison:

1. Ronaldinho Gáucho: The former FC Barcelona player spent 141 days in prison alongside his brother Roberto Ruben Semedo, facing charges including attempted murder, assault, kidnapping, threats, illegal possession of weapons, and armed robbery.

2. Juanele: Alongside others, spent nearly a month in a prison in Asunción for using fake passports to enter Paraguay.

3. Toño García: Former Levante UD player, incarcerated for his involvement in crimes including extortion and threats.

4. Benjamin Mendy: The ex-Manchester City player spent over three months in custody before being acquitted of multiple charges including assault and sexual assault.

5. Freddy Rincón: Arrested for money laundering for a drug trafficking gang in São Paulo.

6. René Higuita: Legendary Colombian goalkeeper, imprisoned for involvement in a negotiation related to Pablo Escobar's associate.

7. Robinho: Sentenced by Italian courts to nine years for his involvement in a collective assault on a woman in Milan.

8. Tomás Reñones: Former Atlético de Madrid player, sentenced to over five years in the Malaya case.

9. Christoph Metzelder: Received a ten-month suspended sentence for possessing and distributing child pornography.

10. Carlos Valderrama: Spent close to 50 days in jail after evading police in a confrontation in 1980.

These cases serve as a reminder that even within the world of football, stars are not immune to the consequences of their actions, and justice applies equally to all.