Felipe Anderson: ‘Coming Back to Lazio Was Best Thing I’ve Done’

Felipe Anderson reflected on his first spell with Lazio, his successes with the club and his decision to return in 2021.

The Brazilian winger initially spent five years with the Biancocelesti, joining in July 2013 from Santos for €7.5m before leaving for West Ham in July 2018 for €38m.

Things didn’t go to plan for Felipe Anderson following the move to England and after an unsuccessful spell on loan with Porto, he returned to Lazio for just €3m in August 2021.

Speaking to UEFA’s Europa Magazine Show (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Felipe Anderson first discussed how things went for him after arriving at Lazio in 2013.

There was an adaptation process that lasted a year and a half. It wasn’t easy, but the club helped me and believed in me.

They told me that if I continued to work hard things would change and I would show my full potential. That is what happened.

The following year was my best year here. The acclimatisation was very difficult, but I got there with patience.

He watched back various highlights of his with the Biancocelesti across the years.

I had never seen these goals before. It’s fantastic. The great thing is that although they are from a few years ago, I feel a bit nervous seeing them again.

Even though they are good things, I feel a little anxious thinking that I will be back on the pitch soon. But it’s motivational. You have good footage here!

Finally, Felipe Anderson discussed his move away from Rome in 2018 and why he decided to return three years later.

I have benefited and grown after these two difficult periods in my life. Even if you try you can’t separate your professional and personal life. We are human.

If things don’t go well at home, it’s difficult for them to go well on the pitch. And if they don’t go well on the pitch, it’s difficult for them to go well at home.

Coming back to Lazio was one of the best things I’ve done because they wanted me badly and I think it’s going much better this time.

Felipe Anderson is a key part of Maurizio Sarri’s squad in the Italian capital. This season, he’s scored eight goals and provided six assists in 32 appearances across all competitions.

Tags Biancocelesti Felipe Anderson Italy Lazio Porto Rome Serie A west ham