 Lucas in an interview withFuboTV in 2024. | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Lucas Pezzini Leiva[1] | ||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | (1987-01-09)9 January 1987 (age 38)[2] | ||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Dourados, Brazil[3] | ||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[3] | ||||||||||||||||
| Position | Defensive midfielder | ||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2003 | Amparo | ||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2005 | Grêmio | ||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||
| 2005–2007 | Grêmio | 66 | (9) | ||||||||||||||
| 2007–2017 | Liverpool | 247 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| 2017–2022 | Lazio | 155 | (2) | ||||||||||||||
| 2022–2023 | Grêmio | 18 | (3) | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 486 | (15) | |||||||||||||||
| International career | |||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Brazil U20 | 9 | (4) | ||||||||||||||
| 2008 | Brazil U23 | 7 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
| 2007–2013 | Brazil | 24 | (0) | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||||||||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||||||||||||||||
Lucas Pezzini Leiva (born 9 January 1987), known asLucas orLucas Leiva[4] (Brazilian Portuguese:[ˈlukɐzˈlejvɐ]), is a Brazilian former professionalfootballer who played as adefensive midfielder forGrêmio,Liverpool,Lazio and theBrazil national team.
Lucas began his career as abox-to-box midfielder atGrêmio, where he won theCampeonato Gaúcho in 2006 and 2007. In July 2007 he moved toLiverpool, where he played 347 professional matches over the course of a decade, winning theLeague Cup in 2012. Between 2010 and 2016, Lucas led thePremier League in tackles per game five times in six seasons. He has the second most tackles in Premier League history, and has made the 5th most Premier League appearances among fellow Brazilians.[5][6] He joinedLazio in 2017, winning aCoppa Italia title before briefly returning to Grêmio in 2022.
A full international since 2007, he has earned 24 caps and represented Brazil at the2008 Olympics and2011 Copa América, winning a bronze medal at the former. He also captained theunder-20 team to victory in the2007 South American Youth Championship.
Born inDourados,Mato Grosso do Sul, Lucas began his career atGrêmio as a midfielder in 2005. The following year was a successful year for him, as Grêmio won theRio Grande do Sul state championship (theCampeonato Gaúcho) for the first time since 2001, and also came third in theCampeonato Brasileiro Série A. Lucas also became the youngest player ever to receivePlacar magazine'sBola de Ouro (Golden Ball), given to the best player in the Campeonato Brasileiro – an honour previously won by the likes ofZico,Falcão,Careca,Alex,Romário,Robinho,Kaká andCarlos Tevez.[7]
His form in 2006 led to reported interest from many major European clubs including offers from top Spanish clubs andInternazionale.[8] It wasLiverpool that proved most attractive to the player, however, and on 13 May 2007, the club confirmed they had signed the player from Grêmio before the start of the 2007–08 season.[9] The transfer fee was in the region of £6 million.[10]
On 26 July 2007, he was officially unveiled as a Liverpool player for a fee of £5 million and was given international clearance to compete in the final of theBarclays Asia Trophy.[11]
By late November, managerRafael Benítez gave Lucas his chance to start a game in the Liverpool midfield after easing him in during his first few months at the club. Lucas scored his first goal for Liverpool on 27 January 2008 when he curled a 25-yard shot into the top corner during anFA Cup match againstHavant & Waterlooville, becoming the first-ever Brazilian to score for Liverpool.[12]
The start of the 2008–09 season signified an important turning point for his career. Many commentators expected him to step up to the next level after completing his first season with the Reds.[citation needed] The Brazilian got off to a good start with a well taken opening goal in a 2–1 friendly win over Swiss sideLucerne in July.[13] He impressed in pre-season games but missed the start of Premier League season due to his selection for the Brazilian Olympic Team in theBeijing Olympics.[14][15]
Lucas returned with a bronze medal and Benítez had high hopes for the Brazilian's future, stating, "This season he will improve because he is a very, very good professional and has experience of the Olympic Games."[16] Lucas noted that Liverpool's squad was much improved from the previous season and relished the opportunity to compete for trophies, despite the increased difficulty of getting a first-team place.[17] However, after a number of disappointing performances,[18][19] both critics and fans voiced concerns about Lucas' quality and his confidence was further knocked when Liverpool fans booed him after a lacklustre draw againstFulham. The criticism irked Benítez and he responded with a passionate defence of the player, saying that "people just don't know how good Lucas is."[20] Benítez also underlined Lucas' credentials, stating that he had beencaptain for both Grêmio and his national youth team, and that competing for place againstJavier Mascherano,Steven Gerrard andXabi Alonso was inherently difficult. Lucas' performances in December 2008 for Liverpool drew him much praise from pundits, the highlight being his performance in the 5–1 thrashing ofNewcastle United, where he provided an assist for Gerrard.[21][22] Lucas wassent off in a cup tie againstMersey rivalsEverton, which Liverpool lost. This compounded his growing unpopularity amongst Liverpool's supporters, after he gave away a latepenalty in Liverpool's previous match, a 1–1 draw withWigan Athletic.[23][24]
On 14 March, Lucas played a key role[citation needed] in Liverpool's 4–1 victory overManchester United atOld Trafford, starting in place of the injured Xabi Alonso. On 14 April, Lucas played againstChelsea in theChampions League, in place of Steven Gerrard. He scored a goal with his long-range effort in the 81st minute deflected offMichael Essien and past goalkeeperPetr Čech to make the score 3–3.Dirk Kuyt's header a minute later briefly gave Liverpool the lead, butFrank Lampard's 89th-minute strike leveled the score to 4–4, with Chelsea winning 7–5 on aggregate to go through to the semi-finals of the tournament.[25]
On 3 May 2009, Lucas scored his first Premier League goal, a header from a free-kick for Liverpool against Newcastle United in a 3–0 win.[26]
During the 2009–10 pre-season period, Lucas showed good form scoring Liverpool's only goal in a 2–1 loss againstAtlético Madrid. This form earned praise from manager Rafael Benítez, and gained him a start againstTottenham Hotspur for the opening game of the 2009–10 season on 16 August. Liverpool lost 2–1, but Lucas earned praise for a solid performance all round.[27]
On 8 April 2010, Lucas scored his second European goal for Liverpool, scoring in a 4–1 (5–3 aggregate) quarter-final win overBenfica in theUEFA Europa League quarter-finals.[28]
In pre-season games before the2010–11 season, Lucas was made captain of a youthful Liverpool side againstGrasshopper.[29] On 16 September 2010, Lucas scored his sixth goal for Liverpool shortly after replacingRyan Babel in the club's first Europa Leaguegroup stage match againstSteaua București. The goal was Liverpool's third in a 4–1 victory and was scored from 22 yards.[30] On 13 November, Lucas was sent off for the second time in his Liverpool career after being shown a second yellow card in injury time in Liverpool's 2–0 defeat toStoke City.[31] On 6 December, Lucas was voted the fan's pick forMan of the Match on the official Liverpool website.[32] Lucas assisted a Ryan Babel goal in a 3–0 win overAston Villa.[33]
Lucas was awardedLiverpool Player of the Year Award in May 2011.[34] On 30 March, Lucas signed a new long term contract at Liverpool.[35]
After a good run of form for Liverpool, his season was cut short on 1 December 2011, when he suffered ananterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury after colliding withJuan Mata in a 2–0 win over Chelsea in the quarter-final of theLeague Cup.[36]
On 10 April 2013, Lucas signed a new long term deal with the club.[37] He was a consistent starter in the opening few months of the 2013–14 season as Liverpool put up an unexpected title challenge, though his season was again cut short by injury.[38] His good form saw him make a return to the Brazilian national team's squad.[39]
In the initial run of games within the2014–15 Premier League and other cup competitions, Lucas was rotated in and out of the squad, leading to speculation surrounding a move away fromAnfield. He made his comeback, however, as a starter againstLudogorets in the Champions League with a good display.[40] His fine form continued and he started games against Stoke City,Leicester City andSunderland.[41][42][43] Lucas' good run continued as Liverpool then played against Manchester United,Arsenal,Burnley,Swansea City, Leicester and Sunderland out of which Liverpool only lost to United and then achieved five games without defeat in a row with Lucas as an integral member.[44][45][46][47] Lucas was on the substitute bench on 22 March in a 2–1 defeat against Manchester United after coming back from a six-week injury layoff.[48]
Despite rumours of him leaving Anfield, Lucas was restored to the starting lineup. Following the sacking of managerBrendan Rodgers, Lucas under new managerJürgen Klopp was praised for his excellent form in the club's 11-game unbeaten run.[49] Lucas made his 300th appearance for Liverpool on 26 January 2016 against Stoke City in theFootball League Cup semi-final at Anfield.[50] Lucas captained the side in the Premier League match againstCrystal Palace on 8 November, a 2–1 defeat for Liverpool.[51]
On 28 February 2016, Lucas started for Liverpool in central defence in the2016 Football League Cup Final. He was one of three Liverpool players who failed to score his kick as the team lost 3–1 in a penalty shootout toManchester City.[52]
On 18 January 2017, Lucas scored his first goal for the club since 16 September 2010, a first-half header in theFA Cup 3rd round replay againstPlymouth Argyle.[53] The end of the season marked the completion of Lucas's tenth year as a Liverpool player. In celebration, Lucas had a dinner party thrown in his honour[54] and received a Special Recognition Award presented to him by club legendKenny Dalglish at Liverpool's postseason award ceremony.[55]
On 18 July 2017, Lucas completed a move toSerie A sideLazio for £5 million, ending his 10-year stay at Liverpool.[56]
Lucas made his official debut for the Rome club in a 3–2 win overleague championsJuventus in theSupercoppa Italiana, on 13 August.[57] His first goal for the club was in a 2–3 defeat toZulte Waregem in the final group game of theUEFA Europa League.[58] On 28 February 2018, Lucas missed a penalty during the penalty shootout in Lazio's match againstMilan in thesemi-finals of the Coppa Italia; which Lazio eventually lost 4–5.[59]
On 15 March, Lucas scored the opening goal in a 2–0 away win overDynamo Kyiv in theUEFA Europa League round of sixteen second leg, securing a 4–2 aggregate win and advancement into thequarter-finals of the tournament.[60] On 18 March, Lucas scored his first league goal for the club in a 1–1 draw withBologna, and on 1 April, he scored in a 6–2 win overBenevento.[61][62]
He finished the season with 50 appearances in all competitions[63] and was named the club's player of the year.[64]
On 27 June 2022, Lucas returned to Grêmio on a contract until December 2023.[65] On 17 March 2023, he announced his retirement from professional football, following a cardiac alteration being found the previous December.[66]
Lucas is the former captain of theBrazilian under-20 team. He led the team to victory in the2007 South American Youth Championship, scoring four goals in the process. He was expected to lead the team again in the2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Canada in July 2007 and was named in theirsquad, but an injury in training kept him from playing for three weeks, leading to his withdrawal from the squad.[67]
In October 2006, Lucas was included in the senior Brazilian squad for friendlies against Kuwaiti clubAl-Kuwait andEcuador. Lucas was both the youngest member and one of only two non-Europe based players in a strong squad. He made his debut forBrazil on 7 October 2006 coming on as a second-half substitute against Al-Kuwait. Brazil won the match 4–0, but his appearance did not count as his first cap—the match was not considered an official friendly match byFIFA.[68]
Lucas gained his first official Brazil international cap on 22 August 2007, coming on as a substitute in a friendly againstAlgeria.[69] In June 2008, Lucas was named in the Brazil squad for an Olympics warm-up match later in the month.[70]
On 19 August, Lucas was shown a red card in the2008 Olympics semi-final match between Brazil andArgentina, after a challenge on then Liverpool teammateJavier Mascherano, as Argentina ran out 3–0 winners. In August 2009, Lucas was recalled to the senior Brazil squad in place ofFlamengo'sKléberson, who was absent through injury. After missing out on the Brazil world cup squad in South Africa, Lucas played the full 90 minutes in a friendly against theUnited States on 10 August 2010.[71]
On 17 July 2011, Lucas was shown a straight red card in the2011 Copa América play-off quarter final againstParaguay, after anextra time altercation withAntolín Alcaraz. Brazil went on to lose the match on penalties after the match had finished all square after 90 minutes.[72]
Although primarily deployed as a defensive midfielder, Lucas was also capable of playing as a makeshiftcentre-back.
Lucas is the nephew of former Brazilian footballerLeivinha[73] and also holds anItalian passport due to his Italian ancestry.[74]
In addition to hisnative Portuguese, Lucas can also speakEnglish,[75]Spanish,[76] andItalian.[77]
| Club | Season | League | State League | National Cup | League Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Grêmio | 2005 | Série B | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 5 | 0 | |||
| 2006 | Série A | 32 | 4 | 17[a] | 3 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | 53 | 8 | ||||
| 2007 | 3 | 0 | 9[a] | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 8[b] | 1 | — | 20 | 3 | ||||
| Total | 40 | 4 | 26 | 5 | 4 | 1 | — | 8 | 1 | — | 78 | 11 | ||||
| Liverpool | 2007–08[79] | Premier League | 18 | 0 | — | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7[c] | 0 | — | 32 | 1 | ||
| 2008–09[80] | 25 | 1 | — | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10[c] | 1 | — | 39 | 3 | ||||
| 2009–10[81] | 35 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13[d] | 1 | — | 50 | 1 | ||||
| 2010–11[82] | 33 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12[e] | 1 | — | 47 | 1 | ||||
| 2011–12[83] | 12 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 15 | 0 | |||||
| 2012–13[84] | 26 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4[e] | 0 | — | 31 | 0 | ||||
| 2013–14[85] | 27 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 29 | 0 | |||||
| 2014–15[86] | 20 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4[c] | 0 | — | 32 | 0 | ||||
| 2015–16[87] | 26 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 7[e] | 0 | — | 40 | 0 | ||||
| 2016–17[88] | 24 | 0 | — | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 1 | |||||
| Total | 247 | 1 | — | 18 | 2 | 24 | 1 | 57 | 3 | — | 346 | 7 | ||||
| Lazio | 2017–18[89] | Serie A | 36 | 2 | — | 4 | 0 | — | 9[e] | 2 | 1[f] | 0 | 50 | 4 | ||
| 2018–19[90] | 27 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | — | 4[e] | 0 | — | 36 | 0 | |||||
| 2019–20[91] | 25 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | — | 3[e] | 0 | 1[f] | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||||
| 2020–21[92] | 32 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 5[c] | 0 | — | 37 | 0 | |||||
| 2021–22[93] | 35 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | — | 8[e] | 0 | — | 45 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 155 | 2 | — | 12 | 0 | — | 29 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 198 | 4 | ||||
| Grêmio | 2022 | Série B | 18 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | 3 | |||||
| 2023 | Série A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 18 | 3 | |||||
| Career total | 460 | 10 | 26 | 5 | 34 | 3 | 24 | 1 | 94 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 640 | 25 | ||
Source:[39]
| Brazil | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2007 | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 | 2 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 | 4 | 0 |
| 2011 | 12 | 0 |
| 2013 | 4 | 0 |
| Total | 24 | 0 |
.jpg)
Grêmio[78]
Liverpool
Lazio
Brazil Olympic
Individual
Brazil squads | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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