Former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36.
The Brazilian had returned to his first professional club Gremio in June 2022, though has been forced to call time on his career due to a heart problem discovered during pre-season tests.
Lucas signed for Liverpool during the summer of 2007 and developed into a fan favourite during his time on Merseyside, respected by many for his tireless work ethic and professionalism at all times.
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After making a total of 346 appearances for the Reds, during a period spanning a decade, he departed the club at the end of the 2016/17 season to sign for Serie A side Lazio. Voted Player of the Season in his first two campaigns in Italy, Lucas didn’t take long to make his presence felt and helped the club to a Coppa Italia title in 2019.
A return to his native country followed last June, which saw him sign for Gremio and feature 17 times in the second division as he helped the club back to the top flight of Brazilian football.
Pulled from first-team training back in December after an alteration in cardiac rhythm was detected by the medical department, Lucas today announced he would not be returning to the pitch ahead of the new league season which is due to begin next month.
Delivering an emotional speech during a press conference, he told reporters: "I have nothing but gratitude, really, and only gratitude for all this career time. I'm ending where I'd like to [Grêmio] but not the way I'd like but... though I'm sure a new cycle will start brilliantly too.
"So I appreciate everyone's patience, I also had to wait, I had a lot of hope that it could reverse, but it wasn't the case and my health comes first. I would like to thank the three clubs I played for professionally, youth team, in São Paulo countryside. My story didn't start at Gremio, but it started an important part and I'm ending it where I always wanted to.”
Discussing his time at Liverpool in a separate statement on social media, he said: “In 2007 I transferred to the giant Liverpool, which was part of my life for 10 years, and it is with great pride that I can say that today Liverpool is my home! I'm proud to be an English citizen along with my family, I'm a scouser.
“Obviously, I could write a book with the stories I lived in these three clubs and in more than 30 years of football, but I'm here to thank every person who helped me along this path. During my walk, many people were important for me to have the career I was able to build. It would be impossible to name them all. My family, which was the basis, support and always believed and lived this dream with me; to the coaches, teammates, to my friends for their unconditional support and to the fans who have always been with me!
“THANK YOU SO MUCH, football! Thank you to all the fans around the world! I'm sure that you will continue cheering for this new cycle that will begin in my life. Big hug, Lucas Leiva.”
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