PUEBLO, Colo. – At the 2024 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast – Championship, Silvano Alves rode Ghost Face for 85.5 points in Round 4.
Alves screamed in celebration on the dirt before pointing up at the crowd of 20,000 strong screaming for him in AT&T Stadium.
Then, he pointed at his kids.
While, yes, the ride was his second of the Championship, propelling him to a sixth-place finish in his 15th consecutive PBR World Finals, it was more special than that.
That ride was Alves’s last at the PBR World Finals.
The 36-year-old three-time World Champion announced his retirement from the Unleash The Beast.
“Thank you, God, for my life,” a visibly emotional Alves told CBS Sports Network’s Kate Harrison. “It’s hard to say some words, but I appreciate the career that God gave to me, and all the good memories for all the rides here, young, old ones, and I’m very glad for making a good Finals. One more – I had a good year and had good Finals here in 2024.
“I’m continuing in Teams, but this year is my last Finals, and I finished great. Thank you to my sponsors and PBR, and everyone who see Silvano Alves all the way. It’s another chapter for Teams now, but for me now, my last Finals, I finished how I want: a great ride.”
After the tears, Alves broke into a grin.
It was the face of a man who may be sad to go, but who knows it’s his time.
“I pray a lot for if this is the time I’m done to ride bulls,” Alves said. “God prepared me. When I’m in the chute, it pumps you up every day, and you want to go to the events, but I want some time to stay at home with my family. I have my kids at home, and I enjoy it a lot. I’m very happy. I know the time is now.”
And so concludes one of the greatest careers the PBR has ever seen.
Alves made his premier series debut in Nampa, Idaho, in 2010, going 4-for-4 to take the event win. He went on to be crowned Rookie of the Year, and that was just the start. He’s one of just two riders ever to win three PBR World Championships (2011, 2012, 2014) and one of two riders to win world titles in back-to-back seasons.
In 2011, his first world title season, he had an eye-popping 69% riding percentage. He’s second on the all-time money earners list with $6,653,924 and added a fourth title with the inaugural PBR Teams Championship with the Nashville Stampede in 2022.
In October of 2023, Alves became the fourth rider to reach the exclusive 500 rides club. He now has 515, undoubtedly with more on the horizon as he continues riding for the Stampede.
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“I’ve had a blessed career,” Alves said. “I’ve won everything in the world at every stage of my career. When I started riding bulls, I just wanted to be the best bull rider in my hometown. Now, all the world knows my name.”
After putting the Stampede on his back last season, Alves struggled on the Unleash The Beast in 2024, going just 12-for-45 (26%). It was good enough to qualify for his 15th consecutive PBR World Finals, where his sixth-place finish propelled him to close the season ranked No. 21 in the Unleash The Beast World Championship standings.
But before the final regular-season event in Louisville, Kentucky, Alves told PBR Commissioner and CEO Sean Gleason that it was time to hang up his spurs.
For half the year, at least.
“It’s hard. It’s a hard decision,” Alves said. “I’m 36 years old now. My head wants to, but my body can’t anymore. I love it. I don’t ride bulls for money or superstardom. It’s because I love it. I have a passion for riding bulls. My head wants it, but my body’s not the same anymore. I’m glad for not having a bunch of injuries. This year is the 20th year of my career in bull riding, and I’ve only had two bad injuries. I’ve been blessed my whole career.”
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If there’s one thing Alves knows how to do, it’s show up at the World Finals. In 15 appearances, he’s finished in the Top 10 nine times, including at his last one.
“I like the Finals,” Alves said. “For me, the Finals are a special event. I compete at World Finals in every place, in different states. I’m so blessed for God in my life.”
While the official retirement will come later, watching Alves leave World Finals dirt for the last time made everyone feel nostalgic.
Including him.
“I’m very happy,” Alves said. I prayed a lot, and God prepared me and my heart. I came here for my last Finals. I know sometimes it’s too emotional, but I’m glad I finished great and am still at the top of the world again. I’m just thankful for God giving me a lot of Finals. It’s like my first Finals—I did really great, and I ride my bulls.”
Photo courtesy of Josh Homer/Bull Stock Media