David Luiz is expected to line up against his former club Chelsea during the 2025 Club World Cup. The Brazil international is back playing football in his home country and has spent the last three years representing Flamengo after leaving England in 2021.
During two stints at Stamford Bridge, Luiz made 248 appearances and played under the likes of Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Frank Lampard. His second spell in west London came to an end in 2019 when he joined London rivals Arsenal only to depart Emirates Stadium after two seasons.
With his professional career seemingly nearing its conclusion, and his contract at Flamengo expiring this month, the expectation would be that Luiz is playing 90 minutes far less often, however that is not the case. During the last year, Luiz has featured on 34 separate occasions, with 22 starts, and he now has an extra incentive to continue playing.
Having represented the Blues for five-and-a-half seasons, it was certainly a shock when his switch to the Gunners was confirmed. With it such a major decision, Luiz was asked to explain his reasons for making the move.
“It is always quite hard because of their rivalry, but I took the decision to leave Chelsea before I got Arsenal’s proposal. It was not a decision made together,” he told OL journalist Mauro Cezar Pereira. “Just as I decided to leave Chelsea — only a few days after — Arsenal’s offer arrived and, since it was another big club, I did not think twice.
Of course it is difficult because of the rivalry, but I could not let go on the opportunity of living a new story, in a new place, in a big club just because of that. I want to be in world football at the highest level and for that you need to play in big clubs.”
Pushed further on his actual exit from Chelsea, he said: “I always liked [Chelsea], without a doubt. My respect and affection for all people at the club stays the same.
“There was a new moment in my career, a new cycle where I had the opportunity to move to another big club, keeping up the ambition of winning titles. It was like this in every other team I was part of, and that is what I expect to happen at Arsenal as wellOf course it is difficult because of the rivalry, but I could not let go on the opportunity of living a new story, in a new place, in a big club just because of that. I want to be in world football at the highest level and for that you need to play in big clubs.”
Pushed further on his actual exit from Chelsea, he said: “I always liked [Chelsea], without a doubt. My respect and affection for all people at the club stays the same.
“There was a new moment in my career, a new cycle where I had the opportunity to move to another big club, keeping up the ambition of winning titles. It was like this in every other team I was part of, and that is what I expect to happen at Arsenal as wellOf course it is difficult because of the rivalry, but I could not let go on the opportunity of living a new story, in a new place, in a big club just because of that. I want to be in world football at the highest level and for that you need to play in big clubs.”
Pushed further on his actual exit from Chelsea, he said: “I always liked [Chelsea], without a doubt. My respect and affection for all people at the club stays the same.
“There was a new moment in my career, a new cycle where I had the opportunity to move to another big club, keeping up the ambition of winning titles. It was like this in every other team I was part of, and that is what I expect to happen at Arsenal as wellOf course it is difficult because of the rivalry, but I could not let go on the opportunity of living a new story, in a new place, in a big club just because of that. I want to be in world football at the highest level and for that you need to play in big clubs.”
Pushed further on his actual exit from Chelsea, he said: “I always liked [Chelsea], without a doubt. My respect and affection for all people at the club stays the same.
“There was a new moment in my career, a new cycle where I had the opportunity to move to another big club, keeping up the ambition of winning titles. It was like this in every other team I was part of, and that is what I expect to happen at Arsenal as wellOf course it is difficult because of the rivalry, but I could not let go on the opportunity of living a new story, in a new place, in a big club just because of that. I want to be in world football at the highest level and for that you need to play in big clubs.”
Pushed further on his actual exit from Chelsea, he said: “I always liked [Chelsea], without a doubt. My respect and affection for all people at the club stays the same.
“There was a new moment in my career, a new cycle where I had the opportunity to move to another big club, keeping up the ambition of winning titles. It was like this in every other team I was part of, and that is what I expect to happen at Arsenal as wellOf course it is difficult because of the rivalry, but I could not let go on the opportunity of living a new story, in a new place, in a big club just because of that. I want to be in world football at the highest level and for that you need to play in big clubs.”
Pushed further on his actual exit from Chelsea, he said: “I always liked [Chelsea], without a doubt. My respect and affection for all people at the club stays the same.
“There was a new moment in my career, a new cycle where I had the opportunity to move to another big club, keeping up the ambition of winning titles. It was like this in every other team I was part of, and that is what I expect to happen at Arsenal as well.
