Image Credits: Imago Images
Three years ago, former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva announced his retirement from professional football after a heart issue was detected during pre-season testing with boyhood club Gremio.
Lucas made 346 appearances for Liverpool during a 10-year spell on Merseyside, becoming a popular figure among supporters.
He joined the Reds from Gremio in 2007 and won the League Cup in 2012, despite missing the final through injury, before helping Liverpool reach the Europa League final in 2016.
He left Liverpool in 2017 to join Lazio, where he spent five seasons and won the Coppa Italia in 2019, before returning to Gremio in June 2022.
Now, Lucas has reunited with former Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye as the pair have jointly invested in Ligue 1 club Le Mans FC.
Following the arrival of new owners OutField, Le Mans have enjoyed back-to-back promotions after initially competing in the third tier. They are currently ninth in Ligue 1 with one win, three draws and one defeat.
Patrick Videira’s side will face Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Parc des Princes on October 10 in their first match after the international break.
Lucas and Gueye join a group of high-profile investors that includes Novak Djokovic, Thibaut Courtois, Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen.
Lucas will be involved in player recruitment and development at the Stade Marie-Marvingt. The former Brazil midfielder said: “I am very proud to join Le Mans FC alongside OutField and to be part of this new chapter for the club.
“Football has shaped my life and given me the opportunity to experience the sport at the highest level. Today, I want to put everything I’ve learned throughout my career to use in ambitious projects with a clear vision for the future.
“I deeply believe in what Le Mans FC is building. There is a history, an identity and real potential here, but above all, a shared ambition to build something sustainable and successful in the long term.
“For me, becoming a partner in this project means believing in its vision, contributing to its future, and helping Le Mans FC take the next steps in its history.”
Le Mans FC accueille Idrissa Gana Gueye et Lucas Leiva au sein de son groupe d’investisseurs 👉 https://t.co/xnnky49p9U#AllezLeMansFC 🔴🟡 pic.twitter.com/BglIFZ7q05
— LE MANS FC (@LEMANSFC) September 23, 2026
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