FORMER world champion Luca Brecel has branded himself ‘the Ronaldinho of snooker’ ahead of his Crucible return.
The 30-year-old took home £500,000 after winning the World Snooker Championship in 2023 but subsequently experienced a huge dip in form.
He slipped to No58 in the provisional world rankings last summer and even risked losing his place on the world tour.
But the Belgian Bullet has now admitted that he does not care about winning.
Instead, he wants to enjoy his game and impress with his skill on the table – much like football icon Ronaldinho did on the pitch.
Brecel told Midnite: “I just don’t really think a lot about winning tournaments and stuff like that. I just like playing the game.
“I’m more of a Ronaldinho type of player in snooker, so it’s all about just entertaining and fun!
“And also having a nice life around it, that’s more important to me! So yeah, no pressure.”
Brecel is set to face Ryan Day in his first match of the 2025 World Snooker Championship on Wednesday.
But the Belgian admitted he could “lose easily” in the first round.
[boxout headline=”World Snooker Championship 2025″ featured-image=”34557267″ intro=”WE are BACK at the Crucible for another thrilling fortnight of snooker action!”]There will be a new champion this year after reigning champ Kyren Wilson crashed out in the first round after a stunning performance from Lei Peifan.
Ronnie O’Sullivan will take to the snooker table after missing recent tournaments, while world No 1 Judd Trump heads into the tournament as the favourite.
The likes of Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby and John Higgins are also expected to be contenders.
Latest News
- EXCL – Ally McCoist on new role as snooker co-commentator
- Ronnie O’Sullivan in ‘unusual gesture’ with rival Ali Carter
- Ben Woollaston reveals how he nearly never made it to the Crucible after black out
- Meet the self-proclaimed ‘Ronaldinho of snooker’
- Shaun Murphy stuns fans with incredible trick shot
- John Higgins breaks down in tears after epic win
- Disgraced Zhao Xintong WINS on return as 2024 runner-up Jak Jones crashes out
- Reigning champ Kyren Wilson CRASHES OUT in round one
Snooker Explained
He continued: “I’m always going to be an outsider.
“If I play well, then anything can happen, you know, but I can also lose easily in the first round.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Shaun Murphy congratulated on ‘winning 2025 World Snooker Championship’ after ‘magnificent’ trick shot to win frame” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6371787543112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“That’s just my game because I play really attacking, but if it works then I can win it.”
Following his 2023 World Championship triumph, Brecel was knocked out of the tournament in the first round last year after suffering a 10-9 defeat to qualifier David Gilbert.
The Bullet has now admitted that he is “not interested” in winning another world title.
He said: “I’ve not really thought about the possibility of winning a second world title.
“I’m not that interested in it. If it happens it happens, but if it doesn’t, then it’s all good.”
After winning his World Championship, Brecel spent a large chunk of his winnings on supercars and now regularly jets off on luxury holidays.
