Lucas Leiva explains birthday picture with Man City and Man United stars

Lucas Leiva has lifted the lid on his friendship with his fellow South Americans in the Premier League after posting a picture of his 27th birthday celebrations last week.

The friendship of these players is something that I really value. There is always a lot of respect between us

Lucas Leiva

Unsurprisingly, prolific Liverpool forward Luis Suarez, compatriot Philippe Coutinho and uncapped Spaniard Iago Aspas joined their Reds team-mate for his birthday festivities last Thursday.

However, Manchester United twin brothers Fabio and Rafael Da Silva also attended the Liverpool midfielder’s dinner, as well as Manchester City pair Fernandinho and Pablo Zabaleta.

Lucas revealed that Chelsea stars David Luiz, Oscar, Willian and Ramires would also have been present if Liverpool wasn’t so far away from London – adding that he values his friendship with his fellow South Americans.

“It was a bit of a decision between us whether to put the picture out because there were players from rival clubs together but I said we should,” Lucas is quoted as saying by Liverpool Echo.

“It was a nice photo and I wanted to post it. The guys from London – the likes of David Luiz, Oscar, Willian and Ramires – probably would have been there too if Liverpool was not so far away.

“The friendship of these players is something that I really value. There is always a lot of respect between us.

“It’s something important, especially being so far from Brazil. I said we have nothing to fear because we are friends.

“Sometimes you get abuse because some people don’t understand but that’s life. When we are on the pitch we all fight for our clubs. Of course we always try to defend our team. I always remember the fight I had with Rafael in the derby – that means nothing outside of the pitch.

“I am very happy I have people who play in other teams and are my friends outside of the pitch.

“It’s good to have people around like that to talk about a lot of stuff – not just football. The wives get along as well and that makes their lives easier being so far away from home. We just have to show people that we are friends outside, but we all fight for our clubs on the pitch.”