In a moment that defied time, veteran Brazilian defender David Luiz ended his eight-year Champions League goal drought with a powerful header for Cypriot side Pafos in their clash with AS Monaco.
A Vintage Header
The 38-year-old former Chelsea, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain star connected perfectly with Mislav Orsic's corner, sending a bullet header into the net to draw his side level. This was not just any goal; it was a strike that propelled Luiz into the Champions League history books. He is now the second-oldest player to ever score in the competition, trailing only Portuguese defender Pepe, who achieved the feat at 40 years and 254 days old.
Luiz had not found the net in Europe's elite club competition since October 2017, when he scored the opener for Chelsea in a 3-3 group stage draw with Roma at Stamford Bridge.
Rolling Back the Years
Luiz, a cult hero from his time in the Premier League, joined Pafos in the summer after leaving Brazilian club Fortaleza. The defender, who famously won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, has been a regular feature for the Cypriot outfit, making 13 appearances so far this season, including all five of their Champions League matches.
His experience has been vital for a Pafos team formed just 11 years ago, which is enjoying a remarkable debut campaign in the competition. Their only defeat was a 5-1 reverse against German giants Bayern Munich, and they shocked Spanish side Villarreal with a 1-0 win earlier this month.
The Match Outcome and Luiz's Legacy
Despite Luiz's heroic equaliser, Pafos fell behind again just eight minutes later when former Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun put Monaco back in front.
Nevertheless, the night belonged to the Brazilian centre-back. His career is decorated with major honours, including a Premier League winner's medal from his second stint at Chelsea, where he also won the Europa League and an FA Cup. He added another FA Cup winner's medal during his spell with Arsenal, cementing his status as a fan favourite in England.
