Serial winner with a passion for wine

1) Three in a row

After joining Real Madrid's youth academy in 2007 and rising up through the ranks, Vázquez enjoyed a successful loan spell at Espanyol in 2014/15 as he sought, and received, regular game time. He returned to the Spanish capital the following campaign and contributed heavily as Zinedine Zidane's machine took off and was soon racking up the trophies, especially in Europe.

In the 2015/16 UEFA Champions League, Vázquez started the first leg of the semi-final against Manchester City, while he came on in the final against city rivals Atlético before scoring a penalty in the shoot-out as Real prevailed. The following term, he racked up 10 appearances in the tournament and, although he wasn't in the squad for the final, he still more than deserved a winners' medal as Madrid prevailed over Juventus.

In 2017/18, Real were again on the top step of the podium, with Vázquez this time an unused substitute as Liverpool were dispatched. He made 53 appearances in all competitions that season, a career record, 10 of which were in continental competition.

2) Basketball fanatic

Vázquez may be a supremely successful footballer, but the beautiful game is not the only sport for which he has a passion. The 34-year-old has regularly discussed his love of the NBA, naming Lebron James as his favourite player.

During a guest appearance on Spanish television show El Hormiguero, he also admitted to watching videos of the U.S league's top stars with ex-Madrid team-mate Sergio Ramos and integrating parts of the sometimes elaborate celebrations into his own.

He was far from the only basketball afficionado at Madrid, either, with Ramos and Croatian duo Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić regularly partaking in games after training - the Spanish duo were often the winners, Vázquez revealed.

3) Injury and reinvention

Positional changes are nothing new in football, but few players have reinvented themselves quite as successfully as Vázquez. Up until the start of the 2020/21 term, he had been used almost exclusively as an energetic, up-and-down right-winger.

Yet, ex-Leverkusen man Dani Carvajal’s injury provided him with an opportunity. Although he occasionally filled in on the right attacking flank over the next four years, Vázquez asserted himself as Carvajal’s deputy and, due to his compatriot’s continuing fitness issues, his regular stand-in.  

This versatility allowed him to add two more Champions League medals to his already impressive collection, while his attacking know-how enabled him to consistently pop up with goals and assists.

Watch: Lucas Vázquez arrives at Leverkusen

4) Wine brand

Like many of his contemporaries, Vázquez has several business interests outside of football. One of those is in the wine world, where the Spaniard is a partner of the Cría Cuervos brand.

In fact, not only is he involved in the venture, founded in 2020, but he also has his own signature wine called Fortaleza - strength, in English - which is designed to echo his Galician heritage as well as his journey to the sporting elite.

“Fortaleza represents the eye set on the goal, the work done well, attention to every detail... for winners," Vázquez said. He is not the only footballer involved with Cría Cuervos, either - ex-Schalke midfielder Ivan Rakitić has also worked with the company.

5) Leaving a legend

After 18 years, Vázquez announced he would be departing the Santiago Bernabéu at the end of the 2024/25 term. He was not able to say the perfect goodbye as Real ended the season without silverware - a rare occurence over the last decade - but he still bowed out with 20 trophies, including four La Liga triumphs.

On the final day of the league campaign, he made his 400th appearance for the club against Real Sociedad, and ended up with 402 after two FIFA Club World Cup outings – only 25 players in Real’s decorated history have managed more.

Upon his farewell, Madrid president Florentino Pérez got emotional as he summed up Vázquez’s time at the club. "You’ve been the perfect example of what it means to be a Real Madrid player — dedicated, selfless, and always putting the club first," he said.

"You leave behind a record that’s part of our club’s history. But beyond the titles, for all of us, you represent what every academy player should aspire to.”