Dani Alves to be released from prison: Did Neymar pay his bail?

Disgraced former Barcelona star Dani Alves is set to be released from prison on Monday after paying his €1 million bail. The 41-year-old was found guilty of rape for an incident in a Barcelona nightclub in 2022 and sentenced to four and a half years behind bars.

Alves enjoyed a celebrated career at the top table of European soccer and earnt vast sums throughout his two decades as a professional. But despite his immense wealth he initially struggled to pay the seven-figure bail, meaning that he spent the weekend in prison.

It had been reported that Dani Alves would look to close friend and former teaMMAte Neymar Jr to help him financially. Neymar da Silva Santos Sr, father of the 31-year-old player, confirmed that the family had supported Alves with money during the trial but insisted that no assistance would be given in light of his conviction.

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“With the Spanish court ruling for his conviction, there’s speculation and an attempt to associate my name and my son’s to a matter that is not within our reach any longer,” a statement from Neymar’s father read, adding that Alves was now in a “different situation” and would not receive further support.

Watch - Alves leaves prison after paying €1m bond:

Why has Dani Alves struggled to pay bail?

The Brazilian built up a vast personal wealth during his playing career but was initially unable to find the comparatively modest sum of €1 million to release himself from custody. His lawyers had hoped to find the bail money last Friday, even securing an extension on the payment deadline, but Alves failed to come up with the required funding.

Mundo Depotivo, a Barcelona-based newspaper, report that the vast majority of Dani Alves’ personal wealth is held in bank accounts in Brazil. He is currently engaged in a dispute with ex-wife Dinorah Santana about child maintenance payments for their two children.

Alves has failed to keep up with the court-ordered payments for his children and his Brazilian bank accounts have subsequently been blocked. He is unable to withdraw money in Brazil until the situation has been resolved and his Spanish bank account have around €50,000 in total.

It is not clear exactly how Alves has managed to make the required bail payment but we do know that he has done so. The 41-year-old will be released from custody on Monday following authorities’ receipt of his bail and he is expected to return to his house in Barcelona. Officials required Alves to give up his passports - Spanish and Brazilian - to prevent him fleeing during the appeals process. Brazil does not have an extradition requirement for citizens found guilty of crimes by other nations.