It’s a little Back to the future. At the beginning of August, São Paulo supporters had the chance to see the club’s former prodigy return to the fold. After 10 years spent in Europe between PSG and Tottenham, Lucas Moura reconnects with his first love. However, he had other proposals, some of which seemed more financially attractive, but the pressure from the fans was stronger than anything. “To be completely honest, something that made a lot of difference was the involvement of the fans. Invading my and my wife’s social media is something I’ve never seen before.”he explained the day he came.
It took a lot from the Brazilian, now 31 years old. A month and a half after signing a six-month contract, the winger won his very first trophy with o Tricolor, the Brazilian Cup, at the end of a final played in two sets against Flamengo (1-0, 1-1). Enough to swallow the disappointment of the Copa Libertadores which occurred a month earlier, but above all to put the club back on the map of Brazil. São Paulo had not won a major title since 2012, the year of Lucas Moura’s transfer to PSG. It was a Copa Sudamericana, the equivalent of the Europa League. It is also the first national trophy since 2008 and the last success in Serie A.
A triumphant return
“I’m living a dream. São Paulo is a feeling, it’s in my skin. I trained at the club, left at 17, now I’m 31, bald and have two kids, and the kids are already making fun of mejoked the former Parisian with tears in his eyes after the victory. I have never experienced what I experienced today, nothing is comparable, not even in the clubs I frequented in Europe. Winning a title with the São Paulo jersey is special. » Unlike some stars of the 2010s returning to the South American continent, the Auriverde international is making a great comeback. And it doesn’t stop there since the Clube da Fé would like to extend it.
At the end of his contract on December 31, Lucas Moura has already received offers to return to Europe. The names were not filtered, but faced with the emergency, the Paulist leadership decided to move. While he already has the highest salary in the club (around 170,000 euros per month according to the local press), the hero of the 2019 C1 semi-final was offered a new three-season lease. “We will do everything possible for Lucas to continue with us. The biggest recruit of the season is Lucas. The operation is not expensive. If his decision is to leave, we must respect it, because at no time did he say he would stay.”warns Carlos Belmonte all the same.
Towards an extension of his contract
The director of football continues: “He is very happy, completely integrated, he has an incredible relationship with the fans. Our chances have increased a lot, we are talking to him, we had a meeting, but without rushing anythingspecifies the manager. The decision will come from Lucas. We want this decision to be made as quickly as possible because it involves planning for the next season. Planning with Lucas is one thing, without Lucas it’s another, so we have that expectation.” Optimism is in order. Belmonte even claims that only a Saudi offer could derail the future deal.
Proof that everyone is on the same wavelength, Lucas Moura inherited the captain’s armband during the last championship match. Already the author of 3 goals in 13 matches in all competitions since his return, the number 7 is enjoying himself and will be able to try to finally win the Brazilian championship. In any case, this is the promise of his trainer, Dorival Júnior. “Next year we will fight, at least, for a championship”. For this he needs “with a great signature” in reference to the one who became famous in France for his famous: “Champion my brother”. Soon a “Campeão meu irmão” ?
