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– Gremio midfielder Lucas Leiva has announced his retirement from football due to a heart condition.
– Lucas, 36, had not played since December when a routine medical check-up showed a cardiac anomaly.
– The former Liverpool player had only returned to Gremio, the club where he began his career, in July 2022 after 15 years playing in Europe.
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– “I thank Gremio for all the support in these three months,” an emotional Lucas said in Friday’s press conference. “I am announcing my retirement.
– “It has been a difficult period. It’s the first time I cry in this case. I’m grateful for all this career time. I’m ending where I’d like to, but not the way I’d like to.
– ”I’m sure the new cycle will start brilliantly too. Thanks for everyone’s patience. I had a lot of hope that I could reverse it, but that was not the case. My health comes first.”
– Lucas, who made 24 appearances for Brazil, joined Liverpool in 2007 from Gremio.
– He racked up 345 games for the Reds in his 10 seasons at the club.
– Lucas was named Liverpool’s Young Player of the Year in 2010 and Fans’ player of the year in 2011.
– “We’re all with you, Lucas Leiva,” Liverpool wrote in a social media post. “Congratulations on a brilliant career and we wish you the very best in your next chapter.”
– He joined Lazio in 2017 and during his five seasons in Rome, he lifted the Coppa Italia and two Italian Super cups.
– Gremio president Alberto Guerra has left the door open for Lucas to continue at the club in a different role.
We're all with you, @LucasLeiva87.
Congratulations on a brilliant career and we wish you the very best in your next chapter ❤️
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 17, 2023
