



The mere mention of David Luiz lights up the face of Joana Magali Lorente, the friendly woman who runs Café Brazil, a tiny establishment that sits almost directly opposite the Britannia Gate entrance to Stamford Bridge. “He used to come here every week,” she tells The Athletic with a warm smile.



Since opening its doors in 1993, Café Brazil has done well out of its proximity to Chelsea’s stadium, and particularly well out of the club’s Brazilian wave. Signed shirts from Willian, Jorginho, Ramires, Alex and Kenedy hang from the walls, along with pictures of Joana and her family with the players. Many have been regular visitors, bringing friends and family to enjoy the traditional cooking of Joana’s mother Dirce, who has been chef for 20 years. “Diego Costa would come in and go up to everyone and say hello, whether he knew them or not,” Joana laughs.



But one shirt enjoys pride of place above the counter...