Lucas Pezzini Leiva, is a former Brazilian footballer who played as a defensive midfielder for Grêmio, Liverpool, Lazio and his national team Brazil.

Lucas began his career at Grêmio as a midfielder in 2005, where in 2006 he had won the Rio Grande do Sul state championship for the first time since 2001 and also came third in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. Due to his playing form in 2006, he had caught the interest of many big European football clubs, including offers from top Spanish clubs and Internazionale. On May 13th 2007, the English football club, Liverpool, has signed Lucas Leiva before the start of the 2007-2008 season, with the transfer fee of £6 million.

Lucas scored his first goal for Liverpool on January 27th 2008, during an FA cup match against Havant & Waterlooville, becoming the first-ever Brazilian to score for Liverpool. On May 3rd 2008, Lucas scored his first Premier League goal against Newcastle with a header from a free kick. However, on July 17th 2017, Lucas ended his 10-year stay at Liverpool, as he completed his move to Serie A side Lazio for £5 million. But 5 years later, on June 27th 2022, he announced his move back to his boyhood club, Grêmio.

Unfortunately, on March 27 2023, he announced his retirement from professional football, due to a heart condition, at the age of 36.

Based of his recent Instagram post, Lucas said: " I confess it came from greater strengths, but I look back and can only be thankful for the career I've built"

"At 16 years old i arrive at Grêmio and I feel the taste of what its like to be in a big club and also feel that the dream was closer to being realised"

"In 2007 i moved to the giant Liverpool, which has been part of my life for 10 years, and i am very proud to say that today Liverpool is my home! I am proud to be an English citizen along with my family, I am a Scouser"

"I wanted fate to take me to the most incredible city in Europe: Rome. With all its charm and with Lazio's fanatic fans, I managed to mark my name in the history of the club! Its been 5 wonderful years:as we speak Rome, ALWAYS FORZA LAZIO"

"One thing was missing to close my football career with the golden key: returning to the team of my heart"

"During my journey many people were important to me to have the career that i was able to build".