Douglas Luiz
Brazilian footballer.
Douglas Luiz Soares de Paulo, known professionally as Douglas Luiz, is a Brazilian professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Juventus and the Brazil national team. Born on May 9, 1998, in Rio de Janeiro, Luiz began his career in the youth academy of Vasco da Gama before catching the attention of Manchester City in 2017. However, work permit issues prevented him from playing for City, leading to loan spells at Spanish club Girona.In 2019, Luiz joined Aston Villa, where he spent five successful seasons, becoming a key player for the club. His performances at Villa helped the team qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in over 40 years in 2024. Following this achievement, Luiz made a high-profile move to Italian giants Juventus.
Internationally, Luiz has represented Brazil at various levels. He was part of the Olympic gold medal-winning team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has been a regular fixture in the senior national team since his debut in 2019. His international career includes appearances in major tournaments such as the Copa América.
Early life & youth football
Douglas Luiz Soares de Paulo was born on May 9, 1998, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He grew up in the Nova Holanda community within the Complexo da Maré, one of Rio's largest favelas. Luiz's childhood was marked by humble beginnings, with his family living in a two-bedroom apartment.His father, Edmilson Soares, known locally as "Bigode" (Moustache) due to his distinctive facial hair, ran a bread business. Douglas and his siblings often helped their father with the business.Luiz's passion for football developed early.
He attended Romarinho school in Maré, where he played competitive football. His journey in organized football began with trials at various clubs. After an unsuccessful attempt with Flamengo's under-13 team, Luiz was eventually approved by Vasco da Gama.In 2013, at the age of 14, Douglas Luiz joined Vasco da Gama's youth setup. He progressed through the ranks, impressing coaches with his technical skills and vision. His performances in the youth teams caught the attention of the first-team management, leading to his promotion to the senior squad in 2016.
Professional career
Douglas Luiz's professional career began at Vasco da Gama, where he rose through the youth ranks to make his first-team debut. He joined Vasco's academy in 2013 at the age of 14, impressing coaches with his technical skills and vision. His performances in the youth teams caught the attention of the first-team management, leading to his promotion to the senior squad in 2016.Luiz made his professional debut for Vasco da Gama on May 15, 2016, in a Campeonato Brasileiro Série B match against Tupi.
He quickly established himself as a regular in the first team, showcasing his ability to control the midfield and contribute both defensively and offensively. During the 2016 season, Luiz made 24 appearances across all competitions, helping Vasco secure promotion to the Série A.The 2017 season saw Luiz continue his development at Vasco, featuring in 15 Série A matches and scoring two goals. His performances caught the eye of several European clubs, with Manchester City ultimately securing his signature in July 2017 for a reported fee of £10.
7 million.However, Luiz's move to Manchester City was immediately followed by a loan spell at Girona in Spain, as he was unable to obtain a work permit to play in England. This loan move was part of City's strategy to develop young talents within their network of sister clubs.Luiz's first season at Girona (2017-18) saw him make 17 appearances in La Liga, providing valuable experience in one of Europe's top leagues.
Despite some initial adaptation challenges, he showed flashes of his potential, particularly in his ability to read the game and distribute the ball effectively.Following the 2017-18 season, Manchester City attempted to secure a work permit for Luiz to join their first-team squad. However, the application was rejected by the UK Home Office, much to the frustration of City manager Pep Guardiola. As a result, Luiz was sent back to Girona for a second loan spell in the 2018-19 season.
During his second season at Girona, Luiz became a more integral part of the team, making 29 appearances across all competitions. He continued to develop his skills, gaining valuable experience in a competitive league. His performances during this period helped him catch the eye of other Premier League clubs, setting the stage for his eventual move to Aston Villa.Douglas Luiz joined Aston Villa on July 25, 2019, subject to a work permit, which was granted on August 7.
He made an immediate impact, scoring his first goal for Villa on August 17 against AFC Bournemouth, albeit in a 2-1 loss. Throughout the season, Luiz established himself as a key player in Villa's midfield, making 36 Premier League appearances, with 28 starts.His performances were crucial in helping Aston Villa avoid relegation, as they finished 17th in the league, just one point above the relegation zone. Luiz contributed three goals and two assists in the Premier League, showcasing his ability to impact the game both defensively and offensively.
His composure on the ball and range of passing helped Villa maintain possession and build attacks from deep.In addition to his league appearances, Luiz featured in six EFL Cup matches as Villa reached the final, ultimately losing to Manchester City. His performances throughout the season caught the attention of Brazil's national team selectors, leading to his senior international debut in November 2019 against South Korea.The 2020-21 season saw Douglas Luiz further cement his place in Aston Villa's midfield.
He made 33 Premier League appearances, all but one as a starter, demonstrating his importance to the team. Villa improved significantly this season, finishing 11th in the league, with Luiz playing a crucial role in their midfield.While he didn't score any goals this season, his contribution to the team's overall play was significant. Luiz's ability to control the tempo of the game, break up opposition attacks, and distribute the ball effectively made him an integral part of Villa's tactical setup.
His performances helped Villa secure notable victories, including a 7-2 win over Liverpool and a 1-0 victory against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.Internationally, Luiz continued to be involved with the Brazil national team. He was named in Brazil's squad for the 2021 Copa América, although the tournament was postponed to the following year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His consistent performances for Villa strengthened his position in the national team setup.
The 2021-22 season was another solid campaign for Douglas Luiz at Aston Villa. He made 34 Premier League appearances, scoring two goals and providing three assists. Villa finished 14th in the league, with Luiz continuing to be a key figure in their midfield.One of the highlights of Luiz's season came in August when he scored directly from a corner in an EFL Cup match against Bolton Wanderers.
He repeated this feat the following week in a Premier League fixture against Arsenal, showcasing his ability to contribute in unique ways from set-pieces.Internationally, Luiz achieved a significant milestone by winning a gold medal with Brazil at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which were held in the summer of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This success further enhanced his reputation and demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level.Throughout the season, Luiz's performances attracted interest from other clubs, with Arsenal reportedly showing interest in signing him.
However, he remained committed to Aston Villa, continuing to be a crucial part of their midfield setup.The 2022-23 season was a standout year for Douglas Luiz at Aston Villa. He made 37 Premier League appearances, scoring six goals and providing six assists, marking his most productive season to date. Villa finished seventh in the league, qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Luiz's performances earned him significant recognition within the club. He was voted both the Supporters' Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season at Villa's end-of-season awards, highlighting his importance to the team and the respect he had earned from both fans and teammates.In October 2022, amid transfer speculation linking him to Arsenal, Luiz signed a new long-term contract with Aston Villa, demonstrating his commitment to the club. His consistent performances throughout the season were crucial in Villa's push for European qualification.
Internationally, Luiz continued to be involved with the Brazil national team, although competition for midfield spots remained fierce. His performances at club level kept him in contention for selection, with his versatility and consistency making him a valuable option for the national team.The 2023-24 season was Douglas Luiz's most impressive yet at Aston Villa. He played a pivotal role in Villa's successful campaign, which saw them qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in over 40 years.
Luiz appeared in 53 matches across all competitions, scoring ten goals and providing ten assists, showcasing his ability to contribute significantly in both attack and defense.His performances were instrumental in Villa's fourth-place finish in the Premier League, securing Champions League football for the following season. Luiz's ability to control the midfield, his range of passing, and his goal-scoring threat from midfield made him one of the standout players in the league.However, despite his excellent season, financial considerations related to Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) led to Aston Villa reluctantly selling Luiz to Juventus for €50 million plus add-ons at the end of the season.
This transfer marked the end of his successful five-year stint at Villa Park and the beginning of a new chapter in his career with the Italian giants.Internationally, Luiz's performances earned him a call-up to the Brazil squad for the 2024 Copa America, further cementing his place in the national team setup.
National team
Douglas Luiz's international career began at the youth level, representing Brazil in various age groups. He appeared for Brazil at the 2017 South American U20 Championship, showcasing his talents on a continental stage. His performances at the youth level caught the attention of national team selectors, setting the stage for his future involvement with the senior squad.In 2019, Luiz was part of the Brazil U-22 team that won the Toulon Tournament, a prestigious youth competition.
This victory further cemented his reputation as one of Brazil's promising young midfielders and increased expectations for his future at the senior level.Luiz made his senior international debut for Brazil on November 19, 2019, in a friendly match against South Korea. Brazil won the match 3-0, and Luiz's debut marked the beginning of his career with the Seleção. This call-up was a testament to his impressive performances for Aston Villa in the Premier League.In June 2021, Douglas Luiz was named to the Brazil squad for the 2021 Copa América. This selection was a significant milestone in his international career, as it gave him the opportunity to participate in a major tournament with the senior team.
Brazil reached the final of the competition, ultimately finishing as runners-up to Argentina. Although Luiz's playing time in the tournament was limited, being part of the squad for such a prestigious competition was valuable experience for the young midfielder.One of the highlights of Luiz's international career came in the summer of 2021 when he was selected for Brazil's Olympic football team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). On August 7, 2021, Luiz won a gold medal as part of the Brazil team that defeated Spain in the final.
This Olympic triumph was a significant achievement in his career and added to Brazil's rich footballing history.Following his Olympic success, Luiz continued to be involved in Brazil's senior squad for various competitions and qualifiers. He was called up for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Colombia and Argentina on November 16 and 21, 2023, respectively. These call-ups demonstrated that he remained in the national team picture despite fierce competition for midfield spots in the Brazil squad.In June 2024, Luiz was once again selected for the Brazil squad, this time for the 2024 Copa America. This selection came on the back of his impressive performances for Aston Villa in the 2023-24 season, where he played a crucial role in helping the club qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Player’s style
Douglas Luiz is a versatile midfielder known for his technical skills, vision, and ability to control the tempo of the game. Standing at 5'10" (178cm), he combines physical presence with agility, allowing him to excel in various midfield roles.Luiz is primarily right-footed and operates effectively as both a central midfielder and defensive midfielder. His strengths include ball-carrying, press resistance, duels, ball-striking, set-pieces, and box-crashing abilities.
He's particularly adept at starting attacks from deep positions, utilizing his long-passing range (averaging 8.88 attempted and 5.45 completed long passes per game) and progressive passing (5.30 per game).
His press resistance is notable, using neat turns and flicks to beat opponents and initiate attacks. Luiz's ball-striking ability makes him a threat from distance and a set-piece specialist, capable of scoring from free-kicks and penalties.Defensively, Luiz is active, averaging 2.24 tackles per 90 minutes.
However, his defensive ability is an area for potential improvement. His aggression can be both a strength and a weakness, contributing to his effectiveness in duels but also leading to disciplinary issues.In Aston Villa's system, Luiz has thrived in a box-to-box role, similar to Granit Xhaka's transformation at Arsenal. This position allows him to showcase his ability to contribute in all phases of play, from build-up to attacking third involvement.