Spurs stories | Lucas Moura, six years on: “I will never forget that moment” | OneFootball

Six years ago today, Lucas Moura gave Spurs fans across the world a moment in time they will never forget - not just a Champions League semi-final hat-trick, but the most dramatic of late winners against Ajax to send us to the final in Madrid.

Now, on the same date, 8 May, we’re one step from a major European final again, this time taking a 3-1 advantage into the second leg of our UEFA Europa League semi-final against Norwegian champions, Bodo/Glimt.

Ahead of this evening’s huge encounter at the Aspmyra Stadion, we just had to catch up with the man himself, now back home in Sao Paolo, Brazil – and he still gets emotional when talking about that night!

You joined us from PSG in January 2018, how did that move come about?

Lucas: “In my last six months at PSG I was not playing, I wasn’t even selected for the games, so I was just going to training and then coming back home. It was a difficult moment for me so when the opportunity came to play for Spurs, I was very happy. It all happened on the last day of the transfer window, so it was a bit difficult, but at the end everything was good, and I was very excited to play for Spurs, for a Premier League team and to play in the Champions League with Spurs. The Club was in a good moment and there was also the incredible training ground and new stadium, so I was happy to join.”

What do you remember about your debut and the 2-2 draw against Juventus in February 2018?

Lucas: “I remember that game very well, it was a difficult game played in a great atmosphere. We played very well and then I came on as a substitute, just playing the last few minutes, but the feeling was very good. We couldn’t win that game, but it was the start of a good adventure at Spurs.”

What memories do you have of your first start and first goal for the club against Rochdale in the FA Cup?

Lucas: “It was a good moment for me. It wasn’t an easy away game, but I remember every time I touched the ball, I wanted to dribble because I was excited to show the fans and the club that they did well to buy me, so I was very motivated for that game. The feeling when I scored was amazing, I remembered the bad moments in Paris when I wasn’t selected and here I was playing and scoring for Spurs.”

One of your undoubted highlights in a Spurs shirt must have been your brace in a 3-0 win at Manchester United in August 2018. What was that night like for you?

Lucas: “Of course, that night against United was incredible. The game before I scored my first Premier League goal against Fulham and then we travelled to Manchester to play United. It was a big game, and I was very happy to start. It was tough but we began very well, Harry Kane scored the first goal and then I scored two goals, I remember celebrating with the fans at the end and it was amazing. To score two goals away against United is not easy so the feeling was incredible. Our performance was really good so, of course, it was one of the best nights for me in a Spurs shirt.”

We obviously had a magical run in the Champions League in 2018/19. What memories do you have of the group stage of that competition, particularly your vital goal away to Barcelona?

Lucas: “The group was tough. I remember the first game against Inter away, we were playing well and took the lead, then conceded two goals and lost the game. Then away to PSV when I scored but we conceded at the end to draw. The last game was away against Barcelona. When I scored it was a good feeling but at the same time we didn’t know if we could celebrate because to qualify depended on the other game between Inter and PSV. So, it was strange when we finished the match but then we saw the fans celebrating and we knew it was okay and we had qualified!”

What memories do you have of the knockout round victories against Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City?

Lucas: “We played really well in the two games against Borussia Dortmund. We had that incredible 3-0 win at home, and I remember Jan Vertonghen scored and did his amazing celebration, then we beat them away 1-0, playing very well again. Against City, it was a crazy game. The second leg was incredible, it was a test for our hearts! I remember at the beginning, we conceded then scored twice in five minutes. Near the end of the game, I was subbed off, so I was on the bench and when they scored I started to cry, I just thought ‘no, it’s no possible’. I was looking down and crying, then I looked at the TV and saw that it was offside, I kept crying but this time because I was happy! After that game I was sure we would qualify for the final.”

What were your feelings after our 0-1 defeat to Ajax in the first leg of the semi-final?

Lucas: “The feeling was bad because the expectation was so high after the City game, then we lost at home to Ajax. Even so, I was confident and motivated, I was sure we would qualify. After the game I came over to the fans and I said, ‘come on, let’s go, we will qualify still’.”

We were 0-3 down on aggregate in the second leg. When you scored your first goal in Amsterdam that evening, did you sense a comeback could be on the cards?

Lucas: “We started the second leg well, only to concede two quick goals and it was very difficult at that stage. I remember at half-time, Mauricio Pochettino said, ‘come on, we just need to score one goal, if we score once we are back in the game’ and that was the same feeling I had. At the start of the second half, our pressure was high and they couldn’t play as they were used to. About 10 minutes in, I scored the first goal and then scored the second five minutes later. We were playing well, and I thought, ‘it’s our night, tonight we will qualify, we will score again’.  We had done the most difficult part, now we had 30 minutes to score one more goal. The game became a bit confused, we were conceding counter-attacks and so were they, then we hit the crossbar through Jan and the game started to be crazy. Towards the end of the game, I felt that if I got a chance again, I will just shoot, so when the ball came to me, I just shot with my left foot and when I saw the ball hit the net, I didn’t know what to do or how to celebrate. It was a mixture of feelings - incredible, magic.”

In terms of your hat-trick goal... can you describe it?

Lucas: “Like I said before, I felt that if I stayed close to the goal then I would shoot whenever the ball came to me. Dele made a good pass, I don’t know if he saw me or not, but it was a great assist. I hit the ball, and it went exactly where it had to go. It’s impossible to describe the feeling when I saw the ball hit the back of the net. It was amazing.  Everyone, even the players on the bench, came and jumped on me and celebrated with me, amazing! It was a very good performance from the team, of course I scored the three goals, but no-one can do anything alone, it was a great team performance and, of course, the most magical moment in my career. I will never forget that moment, I will keep it in my heart forever.”

In your final season as a Spurs player, Harry Kane became our all-time, top goalscorer. How much did you enjoy playing in the same team as Harry?

Lucas: “I loved playing with Harry, first of all he’s a great guy and an amazing player. I always said I was his biggest fan, for me he is one of the best in the world. It was easy playing with him because he was very clever and I understood the way he liked to play, to receive the ball. He’s the kind of player that, when he was on the pitch, the feeling was that we could beat any team. The way that he plays is incredible and I enjoyed playing alongside him.”

From a personal perspective, how much did you enjoy your final Spurs appearance - scoring in a 4-1 win at Leeds?

Lucas: “That game was strange. It was a mix of feelings because I was happy for what I had achieved at Spurs and what I learnt in my five-and-a-half years at the club, but I was also sad because it was the end of a great adventure. But we know football is like this – there is the beginning, the middle and the end - and the most important thing is to enjoy every day, and I certainly did that at Spurs. Each training session, each game, each moment I enjoyed, and I gave my best at all times. When I look back, I can just say thank you to God because it was a great opportunity and a great gift to play for Spurs as long as I did.”

How much are you enjoying yourself at São Paulo currently?

Lucas: “I am enjoying it a lot at the moment, I’ve come back to my country, my city and my club, the club that I love, that gave me the opportunity to live my dream, where everything started. I’m really enjoying this adventure in Sao Paolo, close to my family and friends and I’m very happy here.”

Finally, what have you made of Spurs this season and how much are you hoping we’re able to get through to the Europa League Final and win the competition?

Lucas: “I will always support Spurs, it doesn’t matter where I am, they are in my heart. Sometimes it is difficult to watch all the games because of the time zones but I always follow them. This season, I know that in the Premier League they are not in such a good moment, but the Europa League is different. I am sure they can qualify for the final and then win the final and lift the trophy. I am rooting for them; they are capable if they play like they have done in some games this season. I am sure they can win this competition. Come on you Spurs!”