Lucas Moura’s hat-trick in the semi-final against Ajax helped Tottenham Hotspur make it to their first Champions League final in 2019, which they lost to Liverpool.
On Friday, the forward shared his thoughts on then Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to leave him out of the starting XI against the Reds.
The 29-year-old moved to Europe for the first time in January 2013, months after Paris Saint-Germain managed to beat Manchester United for his signature.
He came up through the ranks at São Paulo’s youth system before making his first team debut in 2010. The attacker’s fine form for the Brazilian club convinced PSG to acquire his services.
Moura, who arrived at the north London club in January 2018, has three years left on his contract. During an interview with ESPN Brasil, the Spurs player admitted his plans are to return to São Paulo in 2023.
“It’s in my plans to go back to Brazil, back to São Paulo. I never hid it from anyone, I never hid the affection and love I feel for São Paulo,” Lucas Moura said.
“When I left São Paulo, I said I wanted to stay for 10 years in Europe. Come rain, come shine, my goal, my plan is to stay 10 years.”
“But I do have a plan to go back, go back to São Paulo. I want to feel again what it’s like to play at Morumbi [São Paulo’s stadium], wear that shirt, the club of my heart. But I still have wood to burn. I’m feeling very good. Physically.”
The Brazilian, however, has stressed his immediate focus is to help Nuno Espírito Santo’s side win silverware.
“I’m playing in a big league, in a big club. I have the goal of winning a title with Tottenham, which I haven’t achieved yet. I still have some goals to achieve here,” he stressed.
