26 Facts About Lucas Leiva

Between 2010 and 2016 Lucas Leiva led the Premier League in tackles per game five times in six seasons.

Lucas Leiva has the second most tackles in Premier League history, and remains the Brazilian with the 3rd most Premier League appearances.

Lucas Leiva captained the under-20 team to victory in the 2007 South American Youth Championship.

Lucas Leiva impressed in pre-season games but missed the start of Premier League season due to his selection for the Brazilian Olympic Team in the Beijing Olympics.

Lucas Leiva was sent off in a cup tie against Mersey rivals Everton, which Liverpool lost.

On 16 September 2010, Lucas Leiva scored his sixth goal for Liverpool shortly after replacing Ryan Babel in the club's first Europa League group stage match against Steaua Bucuresti.

Lucas Leiva was awarded Liverpool Player of the Year Award in May 2011.

On 10 April 2013, Lucas Leiva signed a new long term deal with the club.

Lucas Leiva made his comeback as a starter against Ludogorets in the Champions League with a good display.

Lucas Leiva' 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 Leiva as an integral member.

Lucas Leiva made his 300th appearance for Liverpool on 26 January 2016 against Stoke City in the Football League Cup semi-final at Anfield.

On 28 February 2016, Lucas Leiva started for Liverpool in central defence in the 2016 Football League Cup Final.

On 18 January 2017, Lucas Leiva scored his first goal for the club since 16 September 2010, a first-half header in the FA Cup 3rd round replay against Plymouth Argyle.

In celebration, Lucas Leiva had a dinner party thrown in his honour and received a Special Recognition Award presented to him by club legend Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool's postseason award ceremony.

Lucas Leiva finished the season with 50 appearances in all competitions and was named the club's player of the year.

On 27 June 2022, Lucas Leiva returned to Gremio on a contract until December 2023.

Lucas Leiva is the former captain of the Brazilian under-20 team.

Lucas Leiva led the team to victory in the 2007 South American Youth Championship, scoring four goals in the process.

Lucas Leiva was expected to lead the team again in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Canada in July 2007 and was named in their squad, but an injury in training kept him from playing for three weeks, leading to his withdrawal from the squad.

In October 2006, Lucas Leiva was included in the senior Brazilian squad for friendlies against Kuwaiti club Al-Kuwait and Ecuador.

Lucas Leiva was both the youngest member and one of only two non-Europe based players in a strong squad.

Lucas Leiva made his debut for Brazil on 7 October 2006 coming on as a second-half substitute against Al-Kuwait.

Lucas Leiva gained his first official Brazil international cap on 22 August 2007, coming on as a substitute in a friendly against Algeria.

In June 2008, Lucas Leiva was named in the Brazil squad for an Olympics warm-up match later in the month.

On 17 July 2011, Lucas Leiva was shown a straight red card in the 2011 Copa America play-off quarter final against Paraguay, after an extra time altercation with Antolin Alcaraz.

Lucas Leiva is the nephew of former Brazilian footballer Leivinha and holds an Italian passport due to his descent from the country.