Dani Alves is planning his return to football with Portuguese third-tier side São João de Ver.
He last played a professional match in January 2023, before being arrested on suspicion of rape.
What happened?
The former Barcelona defender was acquitted of the charges in February 2024, and has since been working as a preacher.
He is now close to purchasing São João de Ver alongside a group of investors.
Why it matters for Dani Alves
The 42-year-old's plan is to register himself as a player for the club once negotiations are finalized.
He intends to play the second half of the season with São João de Ver, before officially retiring from football.
What comes next?
Alves will then take on a full-time role as owner of the club, following in the footsteps of Real Madrid's Vinicius, who invested in Alverca earlier this year.
São João de Ver currently competes in the Portuguese third tier, and Alves will be hoping to lead the club to similar heights as Alverca, who were promoted to the Liga Portugal last season.
Alverca currently occupy 10th place in the Liga Portugal, ahead of established clubs such as Rio Ave and Santa Clara.
The deal is expected to be completed in January, with Alves set to "sign" for São João de Ver and play for the club for six months.
He will be 42 years old when he returns to football, and will be one of the oldest players in the Portuguese third tier.
The Portuguese third tier is a competitive league, with many talented players and teams competing for promotion.
Alves will need to be in top physical condition if he is to succeed as a player in the league.
He has been working hard to maintain his fitness levels, and is confident that he can still compete at a high level.
The acquisition of São João de Ver is a significant investment for Alves, and he will be hoping to see a return on his investment in the coming years.
The club has a lot of potential, and Alves will be working hard to develop the team and improve their performance.
He will be bringing his experience and expertise to the club, and will be working closely with the coaching staff and players to achieve success.
The fans of São João de Ver are excited about the prospect of Alves joining the club, and will be eager to see him in action.
He will be a major signing for the club, and will bring a lot of attention and interest to the team.
The Portuguese third tier is a challenging league, but Alves is confident that he can make a positive impact and help the club achieve their goals.
He will be playing for São João de Ver in January, and will be looking to make a strong start to his six-month spell with the club.
The club's current position in the league is a good starting point, and Alves will be looking to build on this and help the team move up the table.
He will be working hard to develop a strong team spirit and togetherness, and will be expecting a lot from his teammates.
The coaching staff will be working closely with Alves to develop a winning strategy, and will be looking to make the most of his experience and expertise.
The club's owners are excited about the prospect of Alves joining the club, and will be eager to see the impact he can make.
He will be a key player for the club, and will be expected to make a major contribution to the team's success.
The fans will be looking forward to seeing Alves in action, and will be eager to welcome him to the club.
He will be a major signing for São João de Ver, and will bring a lot of excitement and interest to the team.