Former Liverpool player Lucas retires because of heart problem

The scenario was already on the table three months ago when the Brazilian veteran flagged up heart problems during pre-season medicals.

Lucas was in his second season at boyhood club Grémio de Porto Alegre, but has now confirmed his career has come to an end.

"First of all, I want to thank Grémio for all the support in these three months. I announce today my retirement. It was a difficult period, I think it's the first time I've cried because of this," he said in an emotional press conference.

"But I just have to say thank you, I am ending my career where I would like, but not in the way I would like.

"I'm sure a new cycle will start. I had hoped that the situation could reverse itself, but it didn't. My health comes first."

Lucas represented Liverpool from 2007 to 2017 and then spent four seasons with Lazio in Italy, before his return to Brazil.

"When I look back, I wouldn't change a thing," he said. "I can say I would have liked to have achieved something more and played more, but I went through three huge clubs and finished where I always would have liked to finish.

"I think the way I've conducted my career can bring me a lot of opportunities in the future. I've always put down roots wherever I've gone and I'll take them with me for life. I am from Porto Alegre, Liverpool and Rome, important places where I could leave something positive."

"I'm grateful they discovered the problem," Lucas said of Grémio's medical staff. "If they had discovered it 15 years ago it would have been dramatic. Today, at 36, I have a consolidated career and I can only look on the bright side.

"I've had a brilliant career and I'm proud of that."

As well as representing Brazil 24 times, Lucas won the League Cup with Liverpool, three major honours with Lazio and a Série B title early in his career with Grémio.