When Douglas Luiz first donned the Aston Villa colours in 2019, he was an unknown figure and had zero international caps to his name.
Now, he is an established Premier League player and also a Brazil international.
Yes, there is talk of the Aston Villa midfielder leaving this summer and joining Juventus, but he has to question what he needs to do to start for his country now.
Douglas Luiz is playing at the top of his game, in the best league in the world and for a team that secured Champions League football last season.
If the deal to join Juventus goes through, then he will be playing in Europe’s elite competition and pushing to win the Serie A title.
Yet, the 26-year-old had to watch Wolves’ Joao Gomes, Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes and West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta play ahead of him as Brazil recorded a drab 0-0 draw against Costa Rica in their opening Copa America match on Monday.
Douglas Luiz an unused sub for Brazil
What’s even worse is that Luiz didn’t even come off the bench, yet Brazil failed to impress and started off Copa America with fans more annoyed than expectant of good things.
What’s interesting is that Aston Villa usually big up their players on national duty via social media, but they didn’t with Luiz.
Brazil are next in action on Saturday when they face Paraguay and you expect Luiz to come into the XI because his all-round qualities are needed.
If he does, and his transfer to Juventus hasn’t been confirmed, then it will be interesting to see if Villa acknowledge their player.
Ronaldinho criticism of Brazil
What doesn’t help these Brazil players is that footballing great Ronaldinho verbally battered them leading up to the tournament.
The former Barcelona star stated that he has ‘had enough’ and it’s a ’sad moment’ for the country because there is a lack of talent.
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He dubbed the current Brazil squad ‘average’ and the ‘worst teams in recent years’. All of which isn’t a good look on any of the players.
So, when you are Luiz, sitting on the bench and not even starting, then you must wonder what he is thinking.
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