The inside story of Spurs 'Superhero' Lucas Moura's Champions League heroics amid Newcastle links
The Tottenham Hotspur forward has been offered to Newcastle United this summer after leaving Spurs on a free
Newcastle United's Champions League qualification has capped off a remarkable campaign and transfer talk has already started on Tyneside. The Chronicle understands Eddie Howe and his side have been offered the opportunity to sign Tottenham Hotspur forward Lucas Moura with his exit from the capital already confirmed.
Moura said: "Now, we keep going and wait for the next challenge. It’s difficult to say more… I’ve already cried a lot. I will keep every moment in my heart - and I will be back."
For Howe and a number of this current Magpies squad, it's the first time they'll be playing Champions League football. So, to see the likes of Moura offered to the Toon, should come as no surprise.
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Whether or not Newcastle decide to approach the 30-year-old Brazilian, remains to be seen, but it's worth remembering he was at the heart of one of the greatest nights in recent Champions League history at Tottenham. Kieran Trippier, who was a close friend of the Brazilian winger during their time in North London, was part of the Spurs side that defeated Ajax 3-2 to progress to the Champions League final on away goals, with Liverpool lying in wait.
Spurs were 2-0 down at the half-time interval and 3-0 down on aggregate, with Moura grabbing a second-half hat-trick to drag Spurs over the line. A team-talk from Harry Kane acted as a catalyst for the second-half turnaround according to Trippier.
“Harry is exceptional for club and country,” the former Tottenham full-back told Sky Sports. “I don’t know the timescale with his injury but obviously we’re all hoping he can be back because of his presence, even here at half-time, he’s coming in going mental at us because we can do better which we all knew.
“But this is what we need, the leadership that he has, the way he came in at half-time. He wasn’t happy and we all knew that.
“He just gives us that extra lift because his presence is massive for us.”
Moura would miss out on the final itself with Kane restored to the starting XI, but the post-match comments from Tottenham players and staff highlight the ability and wealth of experience that Moura possesses. Whether he's still capable of moments like that, remain to be seen.
“Superhero Moura!" Pochettino told the Sun at full-time. "It was an unbelievable hat-trick. He deserves it, he’s a great guy. But everyone deserves it for all the tough moments we’ve been through over the five years.
“The chance to play in a final, it is for my family, for all the people who supported us in that moment. It is amazing.”
Former Spurs playmaker Christian Eriksen echoed Pochettino’s sentiments, claiming Moura should get a statue for his efforts. He said: “Lucas had a wonderful game with three goals. There was nothing tactical today, it was more of a fight. Heart and Lucas Moura, that is how we won the game.
“He’s had a rollercoaster season but for him to get us into the final, hopefully he’ll get a statue in England.”
An emotional Moura said: “It’s impossible to explain what I am feeling at this moment. I am very happy, very proud of my team-mates. We always believed it was possible and gave everything on the pitch. I think we deserved this moment, we are a family.
“It’s impossible to explain, I am so happy. It’s a big gift from God and I’d like to share it with my team-mates and fans. It’s difficult to play here against Ajax but I always believed in my team-mates and their qualities, even without key players.
“I am really proud. Football is amazing, it gives moments like this that we cannot imagine. We need to enjoy it.”
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