Once labelled one of Brazil’s brightest prospects and compared to Kaká, Lucas Piazon shared dressing rooms with Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, Frank Lampard and John Terry. After a career that took him across Europe’s biggest leagues, the Brazilian has now embarked on a new chapter with Wieczysta Kraków. Speaking exclusively to beIN Sports, Piazon reflects on Chelsea, football’s biggest stars and his life in Poland.

Daniel Sobis:
Lucas, let's start at the beginning. When you joined Chelsea, you were considered one of the brightest talents in Brazilian football. Looking back, how do you remember that period of your life?

Lucas Piazon:
It was a beautiful moment in my life. When I arrived in London, everything was completely new for me. The culture, the language, the football – it was all very different from what I had experienced growing up in Curitiba and São Paulo.

My family moved there with me, and that made the transition much easier. My parents and my sister still live in London today, so the city remains a very important place for all of us. I don't go back as often as I'd like, but I still have a lot of affection for London and for everything that period represented in my life. It was the beginning of a dream.

Daniel Sobis:
At the time, many people called you “the next Kaká”. Was that motivating, or did it create extra pressure?

Lucas Piazon:
Honestly, in Brazil that's very common. Every young player coming through the academies gets compared to someone. One day you're the next Kaká, the next day you're the next Neymar or Ronaldinho.

I never really felt any extra pressure because of it. In fact, I enjoyed it because Kaká was one of my inspirations growing up. I supported São Paulo and admired what he achieved. So hearing those comparisons felt more like a compliment than a burden.

Daniel Sobis:
Was Kaká your biggest football idol?

Lucas Piazon:
Kaká was definitely one of them, but Ronaldinho was my number one. Watching Ronaldinho at Barcelona was something special. The way he played football brought joy to everyone.

At the same time, because I supported São Paulo, I had a strong connection to Kaká as well. Those were probably the two players I admired most as a child, but Ronaldinho was my favourite.

Daniel Sobis:
Since you're such a Barcelona fan, I have to ask: Barça or Real Madrid?

Lucas Piazon:
Barcelona, one hundred percent.

And then when Messi arrived, it became impossible for me to support anyone else. For me, Barcelona represented everything I loved about football.

Daniel Sobis:
If you could go back to 2011, would you still choose Chelsea?

Lucas Piazon:
Absolutely.

Chelsea was one of the biggest clubs in the world and joining them was a dream. Looking back now, I don't regret that decision at all. It helped me grow as a footballer and as a person. I learned a lot during my years there and I would make the same choice again.

Daniel Sobis:
You trained alongside legends such as Frank Lampard, John Terry and Didier Drogba. Which player impressed you the most on the training pitch?

Lucas Piazon:
Without any doubt, Eden Hazard.

For me, he's the best player I've ever trained with. He had absolutely everything. He had the technical ability, the speed, the power, the intelligence and the finishing. He could create something out of nothing and make difficult things look easy.

We had many world-class players at Chelsea, but Eden was different. Every training session reminded you of how special he was.

Daniel Sobis:
You also shared a dressing room with Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah before they became global superstars. Could you already see their potential?

Lucas Piazon:
Yes, although it's funny because at that time everyone's attention was focused on Hazard.

Kevin arrived around the same period and you could already see his qualities. His passing, his vision and his shooting ability were outstanding. You could tell he was a special player.

As for Salah, I didn't train with him as often, but you could already see his speed and determination. Looking back now, it's incredible to think about how many world-class players were together in that Chelsea environment.

Daniel Sobis:
Why do you think Hazard became a superstar at Chelsea but struggled to reach the same level at Real Madrid?

Lucas Piazon:
It's a difficult question because, honestly, when he signed for Real Madrid I expected him to dominate Spanish football.

The main reason, in my opinion, was injuries. Every time he seemed ready to build momentum, another setback arrived. Injuries prevented him from being himself and showing the level we all knew he had. I don't think Madrid ever saw the true Eden Hazard.

Daniel Sobis:
You also played with John Terry. What made him such a special leader?

Lucas Piazon:
Everyone talks about his leadership and defending, but I think people sometimes underestimate how technically gifted he was.

He was excellent with both feet, comfortable on the ball and very intelligent in possession. Of course, he was a warrior and a fantastic defender, but he also had a lot of quality that isn't always appreciated when people discuss his game.

Daniel Sobis:
You spent several years out on loan. Which spell was the most important for your development?

Lucas Piazon:
Every loan taught me something different because every country and every club had its own challenges.

If I had to choose the periods I enjoyed most, I would say my time at Vitesse in the Netherlands and Fulham in England. I spent two years at Fulham and really enjoyed that experience. Those were probably the clubs where I felt happiest and most settled.

Daniel Sobis:
You've played in England, Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Brazil and now Poland. Which country surprised you the most from a football perspective?

Lucas Piazon:
I would probably say Portugal.

At the time, many people only focused on the biggest clubs, but when I arrived there I realised how much quality existed throughout the league. There were talented young players everywhere and many teams played very good football.

Today, people recognise Portuguese football much more, but when I first arrived I think it was still underrated compared to some of Europe's other leagues.

Daniel Sobis:
After playing in some of Europe's biggest leagues, how did you explain the move to Wieczysta Kraków to your family and friends?

Lucas Piazon:
It wasn't an easy decision, especially because many people outside Poland didn't know much about the club.

At that point in my career, stability became very important to me. I have a wife and two children now, and after moving so many times I wanted to find a place where I could settle down.

My wife being Polish obviously helped, but I also looked closely at the project. When I analysed everything, I saw ambition and a clear vision. I believed the club had a very good chance of reaching the Ekstraklasa, and that was one of the main reasons why I decided to join.

My father had many questions because he didn't know much about Polish football or Wieczysta. But in the end, everything worked out exactly as we hoped and we achieved promotion.

Daniel Sobis:
What impressed you most when you arrived at Wieczysta?

Lucas Piazon:
What impressed me most was how professionally everything worked.

We're still a relatively simple club in terms of infrastructure. The facilities aren't huge and there aren't hundreds of people working behind the scenes. But everyone does their job well and the club always keeps its promises.

From the first day, they helped me with everything I needed. That created a lot of trust and made the adaptation process much easier.

Daniel Sobis:
What's the biggest difference between the environment at Chelsea and the one at Wieczysta?

Lucas Piazon:
The facilities are the obvious difference.

When you arrive at Chelsea, especially as a young player coming from Brazil, it feels like another world. Everything is state-of-the-art.

But football isn't only about facilities. I've played in countries where clubs didn't have perfect conditions either. What matters most is having everything you need to work properly every day. If that's there, I'm happy.

Daniel Sobis:
Who were the leaders in the dressing room during the promotion campaign?

Lucas Piazon:
We had several leaders.

Carlitos brought a lot of personality and energy to the group. Michał Pazdan was the experienced leader and captain, someone everyone respected. Goku was another important figure in the dressing room.

Each of them led in a different way, but together they helped create a strong team spirit.

Daniel Sobis:
How has it been working under Kazimierz Moskal?

Lucas Piazon:
Very good.

When he arrived, he brought organisation and a very clear idea of how he wanted the team to play. We already had quality players, but football isn't only about individual quality.

He gave us structure and discipline, and I think that was one of the key factors behind our promotion. Everyone understood their role and what was expected of them on the pitch.

Daniel Sobis:
Promotion achieved. What's next for Wieczysta?

Lucas Piazon:
The Ekstraklasa will be very competitive this season. There are historic clubs, ambitious projects and many teams investing heavily.

For us, the first objective has to be staying in the league. That's the most important step. Once we secure that goal, then we can start looking higher and seeing what is possible.

I believe we have enough quality to have a good season and establish ourselves at this level.

Daniel Sobis:
Your wife is Polish. Could you see yourself staying in Poland after your playing career?

Lucas Piazon:
I really enjoy life here.

Kraków is a fantastic city and life is very comfortable. Everything is close by, which makes daily life easy, especially with two children. The schools are nearby, the training ground is nearby, and the quality of life is excellent.

The only thing we're not huge fans of is the winter because it's much longer than what we're used to in Brazil!

But apart from that, we've had a great experience. Honestly, I could see myself finishing my playing career in Poland. If I spent another four or five years here, I wouldn't complain at all.

QUICKFIRE ROUND

Best player you've ever trained with?
Eden Hazard.

Best teammate?
Felipe Sampaio.

Best coach?
Peter Bosz.

Toughest opponent?
Lionel Messi.

Most underrated player?
I'll need more time to think about that one!

Best atmosphere you've played in?
Borussia Dortmund.

Best stadium you've played in?
Volksparkstadion in Hamburg.