Pafos FC Make Champions League Debut with David Luiz Leading Surprise Rise

 

Cypriot side Pafos FC are preparing for their first-ever Champions League campaign, a remarkable rise for a club founded only in 2014. After years bouncing between divisions, the turning point came in 2017 when businessman Roman Dubov took ownership, investing heavily to build a sustainable and competitive club. The project finally bore fruit last season as Pafos won their first Cypriot league title and qualified for Europe’s elite competition.

Their path to the Champions League proper was anything but easy, overcoming three rounds of qualifying against established names like Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Dynamo Kyiv, and Red Star Belgrade. Jaja’s dramatic late equaliser against Red Star sealed their place in the new league phase, a moment celebrated by fans across Cyprus, even drawing viral celebrations from the country’s president.

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Former Chelsea and Brazil defender David Luiz joined the club this summer, adding global attention to their story. At 38, Luiz says he is motivated to contribute on the pitch and help raise Pafos’ profile. The team now begins their Champions League journey with an away match against Olympiakos in Greece.

Pafos’ success is also credited to Spanish coach Juan Carlos Carcedo, who worked for years alongside Unai Emery. Since taking charge in 2023, he has instilled tactical structure and discipline, guiding the club to its first Cypriot Cup and later their first league title. His leadership has transformed the club from top-flight strugglers into champions and now Champions League debutants.

The squad features a mix of local talent and international names, with Luiz being the standout signing. While his arrival is seen as a PR move to elevate the club’s profile, fans are thrilled to have a player of his stature. Luiz himself has described the Champions League challenge as an opportunity to show Pafos’ qualities to the world, particularly with a symbolic tie against Chelsea, his former club.

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Though expectations are modest, Pafos’ journey already represents a historic achievement for Cypriot football. They will face Bayern Munich at home and Chelsea away in a group that highlights their rapid rise. Carcedo and Luiz both believe the team has the hunger and spirit to surprise bigger opponents on Europe’s biggest stage.