Rivaldo: Lucas Moura 'should feel frustrated' as Tottenham's 'star substitute'
Brazil legend Rivaldo has said Lucas Moura must be angry at his lack of opportunities at Tottenham Hotspur, but he's a professional so he won't let on.
Moura was pivotal in helping Tottenham reach the final of the Champions League last season - the club's hughest point in recent memory.
However, it hasn't helped his cause in vying for a starting place on Mauricio Pochettino's teamsheet.
Moura has made five appearences in the Premier League so far this season, providing one goal and an assist.
World Cup-winning Brazil legend Rivaldo has waded into the coversation to stand up for Moura and his footballing interests.
"Lucas Moura is losing importance in the Spurs team once again and I think he is behaving as a real professional, holding on and working normally," the former Brazil international told Betfair (via football.london).
"Perhaps if it was another player, we could have a different story, with the player complaining about the manager, after all he did for the team last season.
"This is also bad for Moura's ambitions with the Brazilian national team.
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"If he is not playing at his club, it's tough to nail down a place in such a competitive national squad with so many good players who are performing well at club level.
"Lucas had a great end of season and already scored in Champions League this season against Olympiakos."
Rivaldo doesn't think a player of Moura's talent and stature should simply accept his bit-part role.
"He should feel frustrated at being used as a star substitute who only plays when the team has problems," Rivaldo said.
"No one likes to enter in a match when his team is losing 3-0 or 4-1 and miracles, like the one Spurs pulled off against Ajax last season, don't come every day."
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