Crafting Midfield Magic from Humble Roots: Douglas Luiz Untold

Before signing his first professional contract, Douglas Luiz’s mantra was simple: sleep and wake up rich. Once he achieved wealth, he never forgot his roots. Douglas, the son of Maria and Edmilson Soares, is known for his humanitarian spirit. During the coronavirus pandemic, he made it a habit to distribute food to his neighbours, helping his community through tough times.

Douglas’s journey is one of talent, family support, ambition, and resilience. Even as a child, he never missed football training despite the frequent shootouts in his hometown. His father, Edmilson, fought tirelessly to provide the best support, ensuring that nothing hindered his son’s budding career.

This article delves into the key events of Douglas Luiz’s childhood and family life. We’ll also explore his early career highlights with Vasco da Gama and his rapid rise in the world of football.

Preamble:

As you read Douglas Luiz’s biography, we intend to spark your taste for autobiographies. This photo gallery recounts the life trajectory of the versatile Villa Midfielder. From Doug’s sweet boyhood years to the moment of fame, he is indeed come a long way.

Everyone knows Luiz is a deep-holding and direct ball-carrying midfielder who has the capability to burst past players with the ball. The Baller has a huge maturity in his game, and he has proven himself as a top-level footballer. A Baller who can compete with the likes of Casemiro, Fabinho and Bruno Guimaraes for their Brazilian positions.

In our long history of telling you the stories of Brazilian Footballers, we identified a knowledge deficit. Despite his accomplishments, only a few fans have read Douglas Luiz’s Biography. We have created this content to address that gap with this in mind. Without further ado, let’s get started.

Douglas Luiz Childhood Story:

For Biography starters, he bears the nickname ‘Dougie’. Douglas Luiz Soares de Paulo was born on the 9th day of May 1998 to his Mother, Maria Soares and father, Edmilson Soares, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Brazilian footballer is one of the four children in his parents’ marriage. We assume that he is either the first child or the middle one. Nonetheless, before we proceed, here is the photo of Douglas Luiz’s Parents, the couple who sacrificed their livelihood to care for their son.

Growing Up:

Douglas Luiz’s birthplace is in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Specifically, he grew up in the Nova Holanda community in Complexo da Maré, one of the many communities in Rio. Here is a rare childhood photo of a happy Douglas with his friends.

The footballer stayed with his family in a two-bedroom apartment in Rio. Together, Douglas Luiz’s siblings are three in number – Daniel, Devison, and Daniele. Their family home has been filled with love, and the three Luiz brothers love the idea of dressing to match.

During childhood, Douglas Luiz’s brothers worked hard to help their father, Edmilson Soares, with his business. After the day’s job in the bread business, they are left with themselves to run around and play as they like. Even as adults, Douglas Luiz’s siblings see themselves as the three musketeers in the family.

Douglas Luiz’s Early Life (Football):

How did this Brazil-born midfielder pick an interest in the beautiful game? Truth be told, it is no secret that the largest country in South America is famous for its football exports. Now, let’s begin!

First things first, the sport wasn’t in Douglas Luiz’s family, nor is there any record of his grandfather or father being a sportsman. However,  as a family, the Athlete’s family played the game together even to this date, as they became older. Here is a rare photo of Douglas Luis’ dad, himself and his brother (including the family Dog) all doing what they love.

From the onset, Douglas Luiz’s father, Edmilson Soares, noticed his child’s talent and began to look for ways to utilize it. All the hard work and labour eventually paid off. The later section of this Biography will tell the football journey of the Rising Brazilian Defensive midfielder.

Douglas Luiz Family Background:

Before getting to know about the financial status of the Athlete’s family, let’s learn about his father’s occupation. But first,… Netvasco reports that Edmilson Soares (Douglas Luiz’s dad), who bears the nickname Mustache, came to Rio de Janeiro when he was only 18 years old.

Douglas Luiz’s father is into the bread business. Edmilson owns bakeries that make and deliver bread with his bicycle. Luiz’s Dad started from nothing, and he used the savings to open one of the three bakeries in their hometown. Even at that, Mustache wanted to expand the family business. The great Brazilian dad still bought a truck and started the business of delivering meat to his city.

On the other hand, Douglas Luiz’s mother was a hairdresser. Together, Maria Soares and Edmilson began a beautiful family (a time when they had little money). There was a combined effort of the couple to put food on the table for their four children. Studies have confirmed that male children consume more food than females, so feeding the soldiers (, Daniel, Douglas and Davison) wasn’t easy.

Back in the day, Douglas Luiz’s family were a middle-class household that used to live in a two-bedroom apartment. The family business helped Maria and Edmilson to feed their children and themselves. However, the urge to improve the standard of living gets greater each day for Douglas’ family. And it served as a motivation for him to work hard, a feat that has now paid off.

Douglas Luiz Family Origin:

The Aston Villa Footballer holds Brazilian nationality, and he comes from the shores of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro. Sources confirm that Douglas Luiz’s Family are bona fide natives of the great Brazilian city.

Having confirmed Douglas Luiz’s Nationality as a Brazilian, what do we know about his ethnicity? The footballer identifies with the “pardo” ethnic group. This ethnic group has a combined European, Native, And African Ancestry and includes players like Neymar (LW), Joelinton, and Vitor Roque, to mention a few.

Douglas Luiz Education:

Research has it that he attended Romarinho school in Maré, a neighbourhood and favela in the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While at the school, there, the youngster played competitive football and soon got himself interested in creating a professional career in the sport.

Career Buildup:

Douglas went to Olaria Soccer Academy and tried out with his friend Italo, who is a little older. Then again, he had trials at Flamengo’s under-13 team, which wasn’t successful. With a never-give-up attitude, the youngster got approved by Vasco da Gama. Here is a rare photo of little Douglas at the time he had just signed up for the club.

Douglas Luiz Biography – Football Story:

Young Douglas joined Vasco da Gama’s academy in 2013, aged 14, after being approved in his tests held in Itaguaí. It is one of the Rio de Janeiro clubs, which was earlier established for rowing and other sports. However, the club’s men’s team competes in the Brasileiro Serie A, the top tier of Brazil football.

The Coach took little time to promote him to the first team in July 2016. He debuted in the Brasileiro Serie B championship in August of the same year. During the 2016/17 season in Vasco, the athlete had 25 appearances and scored three goals for his club. Young Douglas caught the attention of Pep Guardiola, and he received a contract to join Manchester City.

At this time, Luiz was only 19 years old and was among other arrivals like Benjamin Mendy, Kyle Walker (RB), Jack Harrison (RW), Phil Foden, and Brahim Diaz. After the move to Manchester City was completed, the midfielder was sent on loan to La Liga side Girona FC.

Before reaching this milestone in his career, his days at Vasco posed significant challenges for his parents to provide support. Curious about the obstacles he encountered? Please continue reading.

Douglas Luiz Bio – Road to Fame Story:

During a period when the Brazilian footballer’s father was scheduled to take him to training sessions at Vasco, a shootout occurred in his hometown due to a military police operation.

In that pivotal moment in the footballer’s career, external disruptions threatened to hinder his progress. Despite the clear danger of being caught in the crossfire, Douglas Luiz’s father was unwavering in ensuring his son never missed a training session. He held onto hope, praying for a better opportunity that would take them away from their precarious living situation.

While Douglas Luiz was a part of the Manchester City roster, he never played in a competitive match. Why? The UK Home Office denied him a work permit, rendering him ineligible to participate in games.

To address this setback, Douglas was loaned out to Girona FC once more. The heartbreak of coming so close yet being barred from playing must have been immense. However, every cloud has its silver lining, and another contract opportunity soon presented itself.

Douglas Luiz Biography- Rise to Fame:

Brazil’s midfield prodigy secured his work permit with Aston Villa, officially joining the team on August 7, 2019. He was in good company, with players such as Tyrone Mings and Danny Drinkwater also joining the club around the same period.

With the onset of the new season, Douglas faced heightened expectations. Rising to the occasion, he clinched the Best Player title at the Toulon Tournament in 2019. Aston Villa later fended off interest from Arsenal to extend and renew Douglas’ contract. Since then, the stalwart midfielder has not stopped being Aston Villa’s difference-maker.

Douglas Luiz International Career:

Representing his nation, Douglas Luiz consistently made Brazil proud. Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, he secured a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics. Additionally, in 2019, he was distinguished as the Best Player when he helped clinch the Toulon tournament title.

Evidently, Luiz Soares de Paulo has received numerous accolades in recognition of his significant contributions to football. As of the time this biography of Douglas Luiz was penned, his playing style bore resemblances to that of Declan Rice and Romeo Lavia. As the saying goes, the rest is history.

Who is Douglas Luiz Dating?

Many professional footballers embark on their careers when they’re quite young, typically in their late teens or early twenties. At such an age, it’s common for individuals, regardless of their profession, to not yet be in long-term relationships.

However, this isn’t the case for the Samba Maestro, Douglas Luiz Soares de Paulo. While he dazzles fans on the field with his skills, he’s also found time for romance. His heart has been captured by the stunning Alisha Lehmann.

Alisha Debora Lehmann arrived in the world on the 21st day of January 1999 in Switzerland. Interestingly, Douglas Luiz’s girlfriend is a football player with Aston Villa’s female squad. In her honours, she was in the BC Three series Britain’s Youngest Football Boss and is the most followed woman footballer on Instagram.

Why did Douglas Luiz and his Girlfriend break up?

There were numerous factors that could’ve contributed to the strong bond between the two. For starters, both Alisha and Douglas are part of the Aston Villa family, representing the female and male teams, respectively. Wearing matching jerseys surely added a unique charm to their relationship, not to mention their joint workouts and friendly banter during training.

Despite the evident affection between the pair, which often left fans in envy, their relationship came to an end after a year. The Sun Newspaper reported that a dispute over a calendar led to their breakup. As trivial as it might sound, the matter was serious enough for Alisha to relocate to a teammate’s apartment.

Nevertheless, many fans are holding out hope that the dynamic duo will reunite and continue to produce captivating content. As of the drafting of Douglas Luiz’s biography, he remains unattached, but it’s speculated that it won’t be for long.

Personal Life:

Football, while it keeps the fans on the edge, especially at the elite level, is not just a sport; it’s a lifestyle. It is a relentless pursuit of sporting excellence that demands unparalleled commitment. Here are the top captivating reasons many footballers seem to have lives deeply intertwined with their careers.

Firstly, there is a small window for them to achieve much in their prime. Secondly, footballers are constantly on the move Between domestic league games, cup competitions, international duties, promotional events, and more. Their passports get more monthly stamps than most people do in years!

However, that’s the case with the Midfield Magician. Douglas is a free spirit who does not slack on his party garment. The Brazilian Pulse loves to travel and take vacations in his spare time. He doesn’t slack when it comes to relaxing after several hard work.

Despite how boisterous he is, Douglas Luiz’s zodiac sign- Taurus, depicts him as a diligent worker with a strong loyalty to his family and career. So, regardless of how he loves to enjoy, his brothers and parents mean a lot to him.

Ultimately, Luiz Soares de Paulo is a Jewel of the Jungle on the pitch and a loving son to his family. You can call him the sweetheart of his football fans and the house.

Lifestyle:

The transition from a humble background to the global stage of professional football can be dramatic in terms of lifestyle and financial status. Footballers from such backgrounds exhibit varied reactions to their newfound wealth and fame.

As stated earlier, the Rio de Janeiro Aston’s Anchor comes from a modest background. From the two-bedroom apartment Douglas Luiz’s brothers and parents stayed in to suddenly finding themselves in the limelight and in luxuries they could only dream of before.

However, the Villa Vanguard remembered his family origin and background. Instead, as soon as the first paycheck came in, Douglas bought a big house for his family in Pilares, opposite Norte Shopping, as per Netvasco.

Douglas Luiz has two cars in his garage. A BMW and a Lamborghini vehicle are always handy for him. There is no photo of his house, but it is in Birmingham and will be huge. Look at his rides in this image.

Some players might remain grounded because of the values instilled in them during their upbringing. They often remember the struggles of their early days and don’t let the glitz of the football world change their core principles. The Brazilian (Douglas Luiz) upholds these core teachings even after making money.

Douglas Luiz’s Philanthropy:

While the introduction to wealth can make or break a person, the Heartbeat of Villa engages in acts of kindness. During the coronavirus era in 2020, Douglas and his father, Edmilson Soares, gave a helping hand to their community. Here is the distribution of the commodities to his neighbours.

It is heartwarming that Dougie the Dominator remembers his roots in their times of need. It reminds us of when Guglielmo Vicario lent a helping hand to a Ukrainian mother and her child. Selflessness is a part of humans and should never be forgotten, regardless of financial status.

Douglas Luiz Family Life:

The journey of a footballer is sprinkled with countless moments of familial support and love. Their successes aren’t just personal; they’re shared victories with families who’ve been the wind beneath their wings.

The Midfield Dynamo comes from a large household of love and goodness. Hence, Douglas Luiz’s Biography would only be complete with these members who gave him a shoulder to climb to success. Stay tuned.

About Douglas Luiz’s Father:

Edmilson Soares is the man responsible for the life of his son. The former truck driver who drove a Kombi for deliveries to the city all day long still found time to care for his family. Working hard for his wife and three sons has always been the mantra of the veteran.

As he is popularly called, Moustache struggled to ensure his son’s career never died. Even when the shootout in his residence prevented him from taking Douglas to training, Edmilson didn’t quit. There is no excuse for failure with a father like that behind you.

In one game, as Netvasco described, Douglas Luiz’s Father shed a tear when his son gave a goal. It could be tears of joy and remembering all they went through for this dream to be a reality. Today, he enjoys retiring to the mansion his child gifted him in appreciation.

About Douglas Luiz’s Mother:

The journey of a woman as a mother begins right from the time of conception. Fully caring for kids from the womb till they come out is a lifelong commitment. And that has been the case of the Brazilian-born lady with three boys.

Let’s remember the fact that caring for boys in the family can be a daunting task. So we are puzzled about how Douglas Luiz’s mother pulled off her household, and they turned out humble and respectful. Indeed, the discipline from the beautiful woman stayed on forever.

About Douglas Luiz’s Brothers:

The joys of having a brother when you are a male child can not be described. And it becomes double when you have more than one by your side. First, they are the first playmates life gives you and become your support system over time.

Douglas Luiz’s brothers, Davison and Daniel, are the siblings that made the player’s childhood. In addition to indulging in physical activities and sports together, they also have great havoc. Indeed, words would elude us if we begin to pen down those experiences.

Although they know about football, Daniel and Davison chose a different path career-wise. And even though they went separate ways in their business choice, Douglas Luiz’s brothers always get together often.

About Douglas Luiz’s Sister:

Not much is shared about Daniele Luiz, maybe because the athlete has two brothers with whom he shares a great deal. However, it is notwithstanding that as the only princess with three brothers, they adore her.

We could imagine how Douglas Luiz’s childhood with Daniele must have been. The endless pranks boys play on girls or the numerous times the boys in the household would protect their sister from bullies. Research found that Daniele is married and has a daughter.

So, we can assume that she is the oldest in the family. Needless to say, Douglas Luiz’s sister is proud of her brother and always supports him by being present in his games.

About Douglas Luiz’s Relatives:

Brazil’s Midfield Maestro comes from a large family. And his relatives are very supportive and beneficial. As per NetVasco, they stood in for them whenever Douglas Luiz’s parents couldn’t be available to drop their son off. Although we do not have their names, the photo shows their massive love for one of their own.

Untold Facts:

In the final phase of Douglas Luiz’s Biography, we’ll unveil truths you might not know about him. Without further ado, let’s get started.

Douglas Luiz Tattoos:

Witnessing the physique of Aston’s dynamo is akin to having a personal encounter with a masterpiece. Douglas has meticulously inked his back and arms, etching life memories into his skin. Among these tattoos, one can spot “Mustache”, his father’s nickname, on one arm, while his mother, Maria, is also commemorated in the intricate designs.

It is always fun to have the things we hold dear permanently with us. Some athletes like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi, Memphis Depay and David Beckham are also part of this school of thought.

Douglas Luiz’s Salary and Net Worth:

Dougie the Dominator has grown from his cashless first steps in football to a blizzard that can’t be avoided. A footballer’s income increases from contract renewal to transfer to a new club and performance clauses of the said athlete.

All these listed above are why we believe when Capology reports that Douglas Luiz’s salary as of 2023 is £75,000 gross per week. This figure, of course, is more than twice what he used to earn in the 2020/21 season in Aston Villa. At the time of writing, he has the same pay slip as his teammates, Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Buendía.

What about Douglas Luiz’s net worth? SalarySport reveals that the Rio de Janeiro athlete is valued at over 15 million euros in 2023. The Brazilian primary source of income comes from his football career. At the same time, other funds could be available because of his performance and endless goals.

Douglas Luiz’s Religion:

Luiz Soares de Paulo has not publicly addressed his religious views on his social media channels. Therefore, they have remained somewhat secret up until this point. However, he may have a Christian bent based on a few observations.

First, his name, “Douglas,” is a Christian Gaelic baby boy name. Its meaning is “The Dark Waters” and is from Gaelic ancestry. He also celebrates the Christmas holidays, synonymous with the Christian faith.

Douglas Luiz FIFA:

The repetitive impact of the Rio de Janeiro native has brought forth good tidings as FIFA gave him a 79 per cent rating. Douglas’s finesse shots and flair for excellence have paid off with his performance. Here is what makes up the central midfielder whose style of play is similar to Vitinha and Alexis Mac Allister.

End Note:

Douglas Luiz Soares de Paulo was born on the 9th of May in 1998 to his parents, Edmilson Soares and Maria Soares, in Rio de Janeiro. Douglas Luiz hails from a middle-class family background. He is proud to be from the favela and has proven that people of humble origins like him can make it.

Luiz is one of the four children in his parents’ marriage. we assumes that he is either the first child or the middle one. Douglas Luiz’s siblings are – Daniele Luiz, Daniel Luiz, and Devison Luiz.

The little boy got into football from watching his idol Pele. Douglas Luiz’s father, Edmilson Soares, noticed his child’s talent and began to look for ways to utilize it. He first joined his hometown team, the Vasco da Gama’s academy, in 2013.

He was then moved to the first team after a few months before receiving a contract to play in Manchester City. However, the central midfielder never played any game because the UK Home Office denied his work permit. After a loan transfer to Girona FC, Aston Villa came calling with a massive deal.

The Villa Virtuoso has had many trophies in his career- the best player in the Brazilian team in 2019, including the Olympic medal. In addition, Luiz is Campeonato Carioca Team of the Year 2017 and Supporter’s Player of the Season 2022–23.

Douglas Luiz’s girlfriend was Alisha Lehmann, a female player at Aston Villa. However, after a year of dating, they broke up because of an argument about a calendar. The athlete is not in another relationship when writing this Bio. Stay tuned for more Brazilian Football Stories. The fascinating tale of Angelo Gabriel and Vitor Roque will excite you.

Appreciation:

We value the time you spent reading our biography of Douglas Luiz. Our dedication to fairness and honesty motivates us to offer interesting stories about Brazilian Footballers. Doug’s Bio is part of our wider collection of South American Football Stories.

Please feel free to contact us in the comments area if you notice anything that seems off in this account of the Sports Luminary. We value your opinions and want your thoughts on the Midfield Magician’s professional journey. Furthermore, Your feedback is crucial as we keep delivering exciting stories.