Former Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves was formally indicted by a Spanish judge on Wednesday.
The 40-year-old has been in jail on remand for over six months for alleged sexual assault of a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December.
There is evidence of wrongdoing by Alves, who claims he had consensual sex with his accuser, according to the judge overseeing the case.
He was arrested on January 20 and is locked up in a prison outside Barcelona without bail.
In Spain, a claim of rape is investigated under the general accusation of sexual assault and convictions can lead to prison sentences of between four and 15 years.
Earlier, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said that he is in "a state of shock" after Dani Alves's arrest on sexual assault allegations.
Alves, who played football for Barcelona for eight seasons between 2008-2016, rejoined the Catalans for a short spell last season under his former teammate Xavi.
"It is hard to speak about a situation like this, first of all," Xavi told a news conference on Saturday, the day before his team's clash with Getafe in La Liga.
"I think like everybody, I am surprised, taken aback, I am in a state of shock, knowing Dani.
"That's the first thing that comes to mind. And after that, because it's a matter for the law, and the law will run its course, we cannot get into it.
"Regarding Dani, I feel bad for him, I am surprised, given how Dani is, and how he has been when he was here with us.
"(I'm) surprised, taken aback, I can't say anything else."
Catalonian police said they received a complaint on January 2 from a woman who accused Alves of sexual assault.
Alves was a key player in Barcelona's golden era, winning three Champions League trophies with the club, and six La Liga titles.
The Brazilian also played for Sevilla, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus among other sides.