Brazil defender with European pedigree shows love for Corinthians

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Central do Timão

·18 de setembro de 2025

Brazil defender with European pedigree shows love for Corinthians

By Fabio Luigi / Central do Timão Editorial Team

The defender David Luiz, who currently plays for Pafos (Cyprus) and has an extensive career in European football and the Brazilian National Team, as well as stints with Flamengo and Fortaleza in Brazil, expressed his affection for Corinthians during his childhood. At 38 years old, he recalled his roots and beginnings in football in an interview with O Estado de S. Paulo.

“I am a Corinthians fan since I was little, born in Diadema, as everyone knows, I played at Marcelinho Carioca's soccer school, which later became César Sampaio's school, and I had the opportunity to work with him, who is an amazing guy. I never imagined I would return to Brazil, the pandemic turned not only my life but I think everyone's life upside down, and I said, ‘now I will stay close to my family’,” he began.

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Photo: Daniel Augusto Jr/Agência Corinthians

In the second half of 2021, David Luiz returned to Brazil to play for Flamengo after building a history in European football with Benfica (Portugal), Chelsea (England), and Paris Saint-Germain (France).

After just over three years with the Rio team, he transferred to Fortaleza in January 2025, where he played in only 16 matches and recently terminated his contract – during the month of August. The experienced athlete lamented not having played for Corinthians during his career but emphasized his support for the club.

“I never imagined leaving Flamengo after choosing to play there, then life changed again. Whenever I was in Europe, I always thought about playing for Corinthians, I never had the opportunity, but it’s not something I see as a gap, I see it as something good. Corinthians will always have a place in my heart, it’s a club I support, even from afar,” he continued.

Finally, he recalled the 2012 Club World Cup final when he played for Chelsea and was runner-up after being defeated by Corinthians at Yokohama Stadium in Japan, 1-0. The striker Paolo Guerrero scored the goal for the Alvinegro in the second half.

“I ended up winning a Copa do Brasil against Corinthians, and I lost the World Cup to Corinthians with the entire crowd shouting, ‘Doctor, I’m not mistaken, David Luiz is a Corinthians fan’, all that. So, these are things that football gives us the opportunity to experience or not. My affection and love for Corinthians always remain, I had the opportunity to meet the Fiel playing against them and not in their favor, but it will always be in my heart,” he concluded.

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