World Cup legend, 42, captures crook who stole his phone while he watched former club in shocking footage
FORMER URUGUAY captain Diego Lugano was caught on camera apprehending a thief that stole his phone as he celebrated his old club’s Brazilian Cup victory.
The 42-year-old, who also had a brief stint in the Premier League with West Brom, was in attendance to witness Sao Paulo clinch their first trophy for a decade after they beat rivals Flamengo on Sunday.
He joined in with the thousands of supporters partying afterwards but the party mood soon turned sour.
During the crazy scenes, a robber snatched the iconic centre-half’s phone from his pocket.
The crime was caught on camera, however, so was Lugano’s reaction.
The ex-Fenerbahce, Paris Saint-Germain and Malaga ace fortunately realised that he had been pick-pocjeted and managed to stop the culprit, with help from supporters, from escaping.
Footage shows fans stopping the fan, with a couple even throwing punches, as Lugano grabs him and retrieves his possession.
And police have now confirmed that the thief has been taken into custody with the Sao Paulo Public Security Office announcing that they had arrested a 32-year-old.
It is not the first time that Lugano has hit the headlines supporting his old team.
Fans were left stunned as he looked unrecognisable while celebrating Sao Paulo’s derby victory over Corinthians last month as he joined fans that were setting off flares while wearing a red Sao Paulo beanie and black sunglasses.
Lugano enjoys legendary status at the South American club having played for them between 2003 and 2006.
During that period he helped them to win the Campeanato Paulista, the Copa Libertadores and the Club World Cup.
Supporters will know him from his time captaining Uruguay – where he led his side to a surprise fourth place finish at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
He returned to Sao Paulo as a player in 2016 before moving into the club’s boardroom.
Then, from 2018 to 2020, he was the sporting director at the club but is evidently now just enjoying his time as a Sao Paulo fan.
Prem fans might also recognise Lugano from his underwhelming one year spell at West Brom.
He signed for The Baggies from PSG in 2013 on a two year contract but was released the following year after making only seven league appearances.
The cancellation of Lugano’s contract led to a legal dispute between him and the club which was settled after three-and-a-half years.