Dani Alves is preparing to return to professional football at the age of 42.

Soon after being freed, Dani Alves has arranged to resume his professional football career, even though he is already 42.

It has been nine months since Dani Alves was acquitted following a successful appeal against his initial conviction in February 2024. The former Barcelona defender, who is reportedly planning a football comeback. Notably, Alves is now 42 years old.

Alves’ last professional match took place in January 2023, just days before his arrest. His then club, Pumas, immediately terminated his contract, leaving him without a team for nearly three years.

However, according to ESPN Brazil, Alves intends to return to the pitch as a player. The 42-year-old defender, who remains under investigation after the Prosecutor's Office appealed the acquittal, is reportedly close to acquiring the Portuguese third division club São João de Ver along with a group of investors. His plan is to register as a player for this club once negotiations conclude.

Alves aims to “sign a contract” with São João de Ver in January, playing the second half of the season with his new team. He plans to officially retire afterward and transition to a full-time ownership role.

If the deal is finalized, Alves will follow Vinícius’s footsteps in investing in Portuguese football clubs. The Real Madrid star is part of the consortium that acquired Alverca earlier this year; the team was in the second division at the time and earned promotion to Liga Portugal at the end of last season.

Currently, Alverca holds an impressive 10th place in Liga Portugal, ranking above well-known clubs like Rio Ave and Santa Clara. Alves surely hopes to lead his new club to similar achievements in the coming years.