Lawyer claims former Barca star Alves 'has a negative bank balance of £17,000'

Dani Alves' lawyer has claimed that her client 'is broke' and has a 'negative bank balance of £17,000' as the former professional footballer goes on trial in Spain accused of raping a woman in a nightclub.

The 40-year-old has spent the last year in prison awaiting the trial, but could face a sentence of up to 12 years if found guilty. He could also be ordered to pay damages of £128,000 (€150,000) to his accuser.

On Monday, the former Brazil defender arrived at a court in Barcelona. He is set to testify on the final day of the trial, after 28 witnesses, including his accuser and his model wife Joana Sanz, will take the stand.

Alves is being represented by lawyer Ines Guardiola, who had, according to Mundo Deportivo per OneFootball, claimed that Alves has 'a bank balance of negative £17k (€20k) and has a legal embargo on another £42,795 (€50k) worth of assets.'

It comes as the Brazilian, who played for Sevilla, Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain during his career as a professional footballer, reportedly once had a fortune of £47million.

According to Marca, his last major contract with UNAM Pumas saw him reportedly receive more than £256,840-per-month (€300k).

The outlet also claims that he earned approximately £8.6m (€10m) annually at Barcelona.

The father-of-two has in the past set up multiple businesses, including a representation agency called Flashforward Group, a sports advisory company called Cedro Esports and a fashion brand DM3 Fashion Moda.

But in February 2023, reports stated that Alves was 'facing a £4m claim from former club UNAM Pumas for a breach of contract.'

His contract was terminated after the Brazilian footballer had been jailed on remand without bail over the alleged sexual assault of a woman in a high-end Barcelona nightclub called Sutton in 2022.

His accuser gave evidence on the first day of the trial from behind a screen.

The trial, which is expected to last until Wednesday, commenced just before 10.30am, with Spanish press reporting negotiations over a potential plea bargain had taken place. That would have seen Alves admit to wrongdoing and receive a four-year prison sentence.

He is alleged to have slapped the alleged victim and forced the woman to have sex with him in a toilet of the night club.

It is understood that State prosecutors want to jail him for nine years if he is convicted.

Alves, who was ordered to stand trial last November, has denied any wrongdoing but admitted to cheating on his wife with his accuser, insisting sex was consensual.

He had previously admitted to having never met his accuser but later changed his story claiming there was no assault and there had been consent.

In 2023, the former Barcelona defender appeared in an exclusive interview from his cell in Brians 2 Prison near the Catalan city with Spanish TV and newspaper reporter Mayka Navarro. He stated: 'The only person I have to ask for forgiveness is my wife, Joana Sanz.'

The three judges, sitting without a jury, will have approximately 14 days to return their verdict after the conclusion of the trial.

According to prosecutors, his accuser is currently being treated for post-traumatic stress and had left his female accuser feeling 'anguish and terror'.

Alves has also had repeated bail requests turned down, while his legal team lost a battle to keep the trial behind closed doors.