Lucas Moura considered retirement after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon at Sao Paulo, with the former Tottenham Hotspur forward admitting that fears over his recovery and expiring contract left him questioning whether he could continue playing professional football.
The 34-year-old Brazilian suffered the devastating injury on May 3 during a 2-2 Campeonato Brasileiro draw against Bahia. The setback came just 30 minutes into his return after an earlier injury had kept him out of action for almost two months.
Moura had fractured two ribs during Sao Paulo’s match against Atletico Mineiro on March 18. Having worked towards returning to action, he was left facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines after the Achilles tendon rupture was confirmed.
Lucas Moura considered retirement after devastating injury
The former Tottenham attacker admitted that retirement crossed his mind while he was still in the dressing room following the Bahia match.
The diagnosis was particularly difficult to accept because an Achilles tendon rupture can require many months of rehabilitation. Moura immediately began worrying about whether he would recover in time to secure his future with Sao Paulo or another club.
His concerns were intensified by the fact that his existing contract with the Brazilian club was due to expire in December. With recovery from such an injury often taking between ten months and a year, he feared he could be without a club while still undergoing treatment.
Speaking in an interview with GE, Moura explained the thoughts that went through his mind after learning the extent of the injury.
“In the heat of the moment, when I got to the dressing room, I confess it crossed my mind. Because once it was confirmed right there, what you usually hear about an Achilles tendon is that it takes ten months to a year to return. I thought: ‘My contract ends in December. Where will I be? Will I be without a club?’ That doubt creeps in.”
The revelation highlights the emotional challenges that can accompany serious injuries, particularly for experienced players approaching important decisions about their careers.
For Moura, the injury came at a time when he was attempting to regain consistency after his previous absence. Instead of building momentum, he was forced to confront the possibility of another lengthy rehabilitation period.
Former Tottenham star feared uncertain future
Moura enjoyed a five-year spell at Tottenham Hotspur between January 2018 and June 2023, scoring 39 goals in 221 appearances across all competitions.
The Brazilian became a memorable figure at the north London club, particularly for his performances in European competition. His hat-trick against Ajax in the 2019 Champions League semi-final helped Tottenham reach the final in one of the most dramatic comebacks in the competition’s history.
After leaving Tottenham, Moura returned to Brazil to continue his career with Sao Paulo. However, his latest injury threatened to disrupt his plans at a critical stage, with his contract situation adding another layer of uncertainty.
A serious injury can affect a player’s physical condition, confidence and earning prospects. For an experienced footballer, the prospect of spending much of a season recovering without knowing where he will play next can be particularly difficult.
Moura’s immediate reaction reflected those concerns. Rather than thinking only about the rehabilitation ahead, he was also forced to consider whether he would still have a club when he was ready to return.
The uncertainty initially left him struggling to process the situation. However, the support he received from his wife helped him look at the injury from a different perspective.
Moura credits wife for changing his mindset
Following the Bahia match, Moura underwent surgery on May 4 at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. The operation was led by Dr Moises Cohen, while the initial medical assessment indicated that he would spend at least six months away from competitive football.
The recovery process appeared daunting, particularly after the disappointment of suffering another injury so soon after returning to action.
Moura said his wife helped him move beyond his initial fears by reminding him that, despite the seriousness of the injury, he had a clear path towards recovery.
Recalling her words of encouragement after the operation, he said:
“‘Babe, imagine how many people enter a hospital not knowing if they’ll leave tomorrow. You have an injury where, in six months, you’re recovered.’ That was a wake-up call for me. We’re going to come out stronger. That flipped the switch for me. Let’s work, let’s do everything I need to do.”
Her message helped Moura shift his attention away from the uncertainty surrounding his future and towards the work required to regain his fitness.
Rather than continuing to dwell on the possibility of being without a club, he decided to approach rehabilitation with determination and focus on making the strongest possible recovery.
The change in mindset proved important as he began the demanding process of rebuilding his fitness. His return would eventually come earlier than the initial recovery outlook suggested.
Lucas Moura returns ahead of schedule
Moura returned to competitive action on October 10, featuring in Sao Paulo’s 2-1 league victory over Vitoria.
His comeback came just over five months after the Achilles tendon injury, earlier than the initial assessment suggesting he could face at least six months on the sidelines.
The 34-year-old has since made four appearances and scored once, offering encouragement that he can still make a contribution during the closing stages of the campaign.
His return represents a significant personal achievement after the uncertainty he experienced in May. Having considered retirement in the immediate aftermath of the diagnosis, he is now back playing and working to regain his previous level.
Nevertheless, maintaining his fitness and building consistency will be important as Sao Paulo approach a demanding run of fixtures.
The Brazilian side are scheduled to face fierce rivals Corinthians on November 4, followed by matches against Fluminense and Botafogo. Those games will provide Moura with further opportunities to establish himself after his lengthy absence.
Contract situation remains a key issue
Despite his encouraging return, Moura’s contractual future remains an important consideration. His existing Sao Paulo deal is due to expire in December, meaning his performances during the closing weeks of the season could influence what happens next.
The forward’s ability to return earlier than expected has given him an opportunity to demonstrate that he can continue competing at a high level. However, his long-term prospects will depend on several factors, including his fitness, performances and the club’s plans.
For a player who spent several seasons in the Premier League and experienced some of Tottenham’s most memorable European nights, the prospect of being forced out of football by injury was a difficult one to contemplate.
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His recovery has instead allowed him to resume his career and focus on the immediate challenges ahead.
Moura’s experience also underlines the importance of emotional support during rehabilitation. While medical treatment and physical conditioning remain central to recovery, encouragement from family can help injured players manage the uncertainty that accompanies a long absence.
Having moved from thoughts of retirement to a return to competitive action, Moura will now aim to finish the season strongly and give himself the best possible chance of securing his future at Sao Paulo.
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