David Luiz says his footballing future lies at Benfica, saying he will return to his former team with just over 12 months left on his Arsenal deal.
The Brazilian made his name at the Portuguese side, earning a transfer move to Chelsea, before going on to also turn out for Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain and now Arsenal.
The defender has enjoyed great success since leaving Benfica but says that he intends to go back there before he ends his career, and with his Arsenal deal expiring in 2021, that could be the right time to do it.
‘I always said that I would like to end my career at Benfica,’ the Brazil defender told Benfica’s official website.
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‘In football everything changes, what is true today, tomorrow is a lie, but my feeling is not! ‘I love Benfica. My dream is to step on the pitch of Estadio da Luz in their colours.
‘For all that I lived and felt, for what Benfica is in my life and in my history, for everything, Benfica is bigger than any player.’
Despite playing for other teams in the Premier League and France, Luiz has never hidden his love for Benfica.
Luiz told SporTV this year: ‘I never lost my connection with Benfica, I have that in my heart, everybody knows I want to come back.
‘I want to wear the Benfica shirt again and feel that sensation. The day I come back to the Estadio da Luz it is going to be very special, one of the greatest feelings of my life.’
Arsenal may be interested in extending Luiz’s stay in London, if they can persuade him to do so, with Mikel Arteta claiming to be very pleased with him.
‘He is a player that has won more trophies than anybody else in that dressing room,’ said Arteta.
‘We have to use that in a very powerful way. I am very pleased with him. In the games he has played under me so far he has been terrific.
‘His attitude in training, the way he communicates with his team-mates, his desire to still learn, it’s superb. I am delighted with him.’
