Brazilian · Diadema, Brazil · Born 22 April 1987Flamboyant and technically gifted Brazilian centre-back whose adventurous style and curly hair made him one of the most recognisable defenders of his era.
David Luiz Moreira Marinho was born on 22 April 1987 in Diadema, in Brazil's São Paulo state, to Ladislao and Regina Marinho, and was released by São Paulo as a youth player before joining Vitória in Salvador, where he initially struggled as a defensive midfielder before being repositioned to centre-back. He moved to Portugal's Benfica in 2007, developing into one of the most technically gifted, if occasionally unorthodox, defenders in European football. Chelsea signed David Luiz in 2011, and his combination of composure on the ball, attacking ability, and distinctive curly hair made him one of the Premier League's most recognisable players. He won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012 before a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2014, returning to Chelsea in 2016 to win a further Premier League title. David Luiz moved to Arsenal in 2019, adding experience to the club's backline, before returning to Brazil with Flamengo in 2021. He represented Brazil at the 2014 World Cup on home soil, delivering an emotional, tearful performance in the quarter-final win over Colombia before Brazil's infamous 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany, and was part of the squad that won the 2013 Confederations Cup. David Luiz earned dozens of caps for Brazil across a seven-year international career, and continued playing into his late thirties with Fortaleza and Cypriot club Pafos, extending a well-travelled career built on genuine versatility and a rare combination of flair and defensive responsibility.
Winning the Champions League and helping Brazil reach the 2014 World Cup semi-finals
He conceded two goals in Brazil's catastrophic 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany at the 2014 World Cup on home soil — one of the most shocking results in football history.
Did You Know?How They Played
Ball-playing centre-back with excellent passing range and aerial prowess
Lasting Impact
Versatile defender who won major trophies in three different leagues
Career Honours
- Champions League 2012
- Europa League 2013
- FA Cup 2012, 2018, 2020
- Ligue 1 2015, 2016
- Ligue 1 2015
- Ligue 1 2016
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitória | 2006–2007 | — | 52 | 2 |
| Benfica | 2007–2011 | — | 82 | 4 |
| Chelsea | 2011–2014 | £21.3m | 81 | 6 |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 2014–2016 | £50m | 56 | 3 |
| Chelsea | 2016–2019 | £21.3m | 79 | 5 |
| Arsenal | 2019–2021 | — | 53 | 3 |
| Flamengo | 2021–2024 | — | 86 | 4 |
| Fortaleza | 2025–2025 | — | 8 | 0 |
| Pafos | 2025–Present | — | 27 | 4 |
 Brazil | — | — | 66 | 3 |
Brazilian Athletes