David Luiz turned down Portugal when he was at Benfica, reveals defender's dad

By Joe Brewin
published

David Luiz might be Brazil's second-most popular player behind Neymar, but it could have been very different for the frizzy-haired Selecao stopper according to his father.

The 27-year-old, who will join Paris Saint-Germain from Chelsea after the World Cup, turned down the chance to play for Portugal during his days at Benfica.

"The blood running through my veins is green and yellow," he replied, according to his father Ladislau. "My heart is Brazilian and I will only play for my country."

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Joe Brewin
Joe Brewin

Joe was the Deputy Editor at FourFourTwo until 2022, having risen through the FFT academy and been on the brand since 2013 in various capacities. 


By weekend and frustrating midweek night he is a Leicester City fan, and in 2020 co-wrote the autobiography of former Foxes winger Matt Piper – subsequently listed for both the Telegraph and William Hill Sports Book of the Year awards.