Lucas Moura said he considered retiring after rupturing his right Achilles tendon while at Sao Paulo. GOAL said the fear hit him in the dressing room during Sao Paulo's 2-2 Campeonato Brasileiro draw against Bahia in May.
What Moura thought after the injury
Speaking in an interview with GE, Moura recalled: "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."
Moura said club doctors diagnosed a complete tear of his right Achilles tendon on May 3. GOAL said the injury happened barely half an hour into Moura's comeback after nearly two months out with two fractured ribs suffered against Atletico Mineiro on March 18.
Surgery and recovery
The day after the Bahia match, Moura underwent surgery led by Dr Moises Cohen at the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein on May 4. Moura said doctors told him after the operation that he faced at least six months out.
His wife's message
Moura credited his wife with changing his mindset and motivating him in his rehabilitation. Recounting her words of encouragement after the operation, Moura added: "'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."
Return to action
GOAL said Moura returned in Sao Paulo's 2-1 league win over Vitoria on October 10. GOAL said Moura had scored once in four appearances since returning. GOAL said Sao Paulo host Corinthians on November 4.
Contract situation
GOAL said Moura's contract with Sao Paulo is due to expire at the end of December.
