David Luiz’s Journey: From Arsenal to Cyprus and Beyond

David Luiz celebrated the third FA Cup of his career while at Arsenal, establishing himself as a pivotal player during the early days of Mikel Arteta’s management, with a total of 73 appearances across all competitions. However, a hamstring injury prematurely ended his 2020-21 season, leading Arsenal to opt against renewing the contract of the then-34-year-old defender, as they sought to fortify their defense with younger talent.

In September 2021, Luiz secured a new chapter in his career, signing with Flamengo on a free transfer after turning down several other offers. At his presentation, Luiz expressed his passion for the club, saying, “I had a few different scenarios where I could have picked a quieter, more peaceful life, but I like to follow my heart. This is another big challenge in my life. I felt during my tour that this is what I always wanted; it gives me the air I breathe. If the voice of the people is the voice of God, then the country called out to me, and here I am.”

Luiz embraced this challenge, quickly securing a starting position despite joining late in the season. Unfortunately, Flamengo’s aspirations were dashed as they finished second in the Brazilian Serie A and suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Palmeiras in the Copa Libertadores final, where Luiz played the full 120 minutes.

The following season saw Flamengo drop to fifth in the league; however, they clinched the Copa do Brasil and triumphed in the Copa Libertadores, defeating Athletico Paranaense 1-0 in the final. Luiz played a crucial role in their success, becoming one of only 14 players to have won both the Copa Libertadores and the Champions League, which earned him a contract extension.

“Flamengo is the pinnacle of emotions! It’s living life on the edge. Always wondering, ‘what’s going to happen?’ But it’s also the fulfillment of most Brazilians,” Luiz remarked in an interview with Globo Esporte. “It’s one of the best chapters of my life, one of the best things football has to offer. Did I imagine it? I don’t know. Maybe I didn’t imagine it would be so special and affect me as much as it does today. It gives me pleasure to say that it’s a club that’s in my heart!”

At the beginning of the 2023 campaign, Luiz had the opportunity to compete in the Club World Cup, but Flamengo was eliminated in the semi-finals by Al-Hilal, preventing a high-profile showdown with Real Madrid. Unfortunately, disappointment lingered throughout the season as Flamengo fell short in several key competitions. Nevertheless, Luiz scored his first goal for the club in a 3-2 league victory over Bahia.

However, signs of physical decline became evident during the 2023 season. Luiz missed the final 11 league matches after sustaining a severe ankle sprain in a 2-0 win against Cruzeiro, leading to an emotional exit from the field on a cart.

Despite these challenges, Flamengo chose to extend Luiz’s contract for another year, and he contributed to their success in the Campeonato Carioca. Although persistent ankle issues limited his appearances early in the Serie A season, he proved his worth upon returning to full fitness, scoring impressively in a 6-1 rout of Vasco da Gama.

Luiz quickly became a regular again, but inconsistencies plagued Flamengo, leading to the dismissal of coach Tite in September after a Copa Libertadores exit. The appointment of Filipe Luis, another former Chelsea star who concluded his playing career at Flamengo, marked the beginning of the end for Luiz’s tenure at the Maracana.

Although Flamengo won the Copa do Brasil again, Luiz found himself primarily on the bench and only participated minimally in the final. Persistent Achilles pain hampered his performance, leaving the club uncertain about his future.

On December 22, 2024, Luiz’s departure was announced via social media, leading to a public outburst where he expressed feeling blindsided by the decision. “If I didn’t have Instagram, social media, maybe I wouldn’t even know today (about the non-renewal),” he stated, expressing his discontent with how the situation was handled.

Luiz quickly signed a two-year contract with Fortaleza, where he received a warm welcome from fans and expressed his ambition for silverware. “The foundation is here. Everything is here. The cake is almost ready; all that’s missing is the whipped cream and the cherry on top,” he said at his unveiling.

Fortaleza finished the 2024 Serie A season in fourth place but struggled to maintain their momentum. Luiz’s playing time diminished, and after suffering a thigh injury in July, it became apparent that his time at the club was drawing to a close. His contract was mutually terminated on August 1, 2024, shortly after which he agreed to join Pafos.

Reflecting on his time at Fortaleza, Luiz noted, “Unfortunately, it didn’t happen the way I wanted. I played very little, but I understood that the best way to respect the club was to move on to another challenge, because it hadn’t worked out the way we expected. I still have the same respect for Vojvoda, even though we think about football in different ways.”

Avoiding relegation in the process, Luiz departed as Fortaleza faced a tough season ahead. He also made headlines due to off-field legal issues regarding an alleged affair, which he denied, leading to the Ceara police deciding against indictment after an investigation.

In Cyprus, Luiz found renewed happiness with Pafos, contributing to the team’s historic success in Champions League qualifying, as they achieved an impressive feat by overcoming formidable opponents such as Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Dynamo Kyiv. Although he missed qualifying matches, Luiz celebrated the team’s achievement and their subsequent matches against top European clubs.

“Everybody was in ecstasy,” Luiz recalled. “Nobody expected us to be in the Champions League this season. I’m very happy to be here because I can see this feeling, with everybody’s hunger, to do something great.”

Luiz has since become an integral part of Carcedo’s squad, albeit Pafos struggled in the Champions League group stage, accumulating only six points from six matches. Despite some disappointing results, including heavy losses to Bayern and Juventus, the team managed to pull off an upset against Villarreal and earned a draw against Monaco, where Luiz scored his first Champions League goal since 2017, making him the second-oldest scorer in the competition’s history.

As he prepares to face Chelsea, Luiz expressed his determination and passion: “I’m going to play against Chelsea with my heart totally full of energy.” With the possibility of advancing to the knockout stages still alive, Luiz remains hopeful for a successful conclusion to his storied career.