In May 2012, a tall, haired Brazilian at the peak of his form won with Chelsea, alongside Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Petr Čech, the prestigious Champions League.
Nine years later, David Luiz has the opportunity to add to his most impressive individual record (one C1, two C3, double champion of France and once champion of England and Portugal) a new line in golden letters.
In the Copa Libertadores final with Flamengo, the 34-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain defender will play this Saturday night in the legendary Centenario stadium in Montevideo (Uruguay) the first South American grand final of his career.
Started 16 years ago at ES Vitória, a team from the east of the country then in the Brazilian third division.
Pra cima, meu zagueiro!
Amanhã final tem of Conmebol Libertadores!
#VamosFlamengo
📸 @ AlexandreVidal1 / CRF pic.twitter.com/4MZCkoz3r8
- Flamengo (@Flamengo) November 26, 2021
Since then, the international with 57 caps with the Seleção has reigned his 1.89 m in some renowned European defenses on the Old Continent, from Benfica to Arsenal via Chelsea and PSG. Left free by the Gunners last September, for whom his salary had become too important a burden, David Luiz took the opportunity to return home to Brazil, where he still renders proud services.
The central defender returned to "Fla" a few days before the formation led by local Renato Gaucho launched into the last four of the competition, where they got rid of the Ecuadorians of Barcelona SC (2-0, 0- 2).
Muscularly affected during the semi-final second leg, he was away from the South American lawns for a few weeks, but will be well established in the axis alongside Rodrigo Caio to face the defending champion.
Since the beginning of the month, he has taken part in five matches of Brasileirão, the Brazilian championship, including four as a starter.
Join Neymar on the prize list
“The expectations here are very high.
I feel privileged to arrive at such a special moment in the season and in the club.
There are few players who will have this opportunity in their lives and in their careers.
(…) For me, it's very special, ”assured Stats Perform David Luiz, under contract until September 2022 with the Rio de Janeiro team.
Prestes a disputar a final da Libertadores pela primeira vez, @ DavidLuiz_4 destacou o foco da equipe para a decisão!
🗣🎙 # VamosFlamengo pic.twitter.com/WaheMCecXQ
- Flamengo (@Flamengo) November 26, 2021
If he no longer has his 20-year-old legs, the most famous long-haired player in world football has the opportunity in the final against Palmeiras to sit at the table of a small group: that of the players who have won the League of champions in Europe, and its equivalent in South America.
From Neymar (2011) to Carlos Tévez (2003) via Dida (1997) or Ronaldinho (2013), only eleven have achieved this feat across the two continents.
