Lucas Leiva is forced to retire at the age of 36 due to heart problems. The Brazilian tearfully announced his decision at a press conference held by his club Gremio Porto Alegre. The defensive midfielder had been active there since last summer before a routine test diagnosed heart problems in December.
“I want to thank Grêmio for all the support over these three months. Today I announce my resignation. It was a difficult time,” Leiva said (quoted via “Guardians”). “I stop where I wanted, but not the way I wanted. I am sure that a new cycle will begin. I had high hopes that the issue could be resolved, but it wasn’t. My health comes first.”
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The 22-time Brazil international started his career at Gremio and joined Liverpool in 2008 for €10m. There Leiva made a total of 356 appearances (7 goals, 21 assists), won the League Cup in 2012 and reached his highest market value of €17m (2013) before joining Lazio in 2017. With 247 Premier League games, he is eighth in the Reds’ all-time record. “I can say with great pride that Liverpool is my home today,” Leiva wrote in a post on his social media channels, and the top English club also dedicated a farewell post to the ex-professional.
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