IF YOU became a world champion of your sport and pocketed £500,000 prize money, how exactly would you celebrate?
Maybe buy a nice car. Treat the missus. Go on a lavish holiday perhaps.
PALuca Brecel has enjoyed a whirlwind year since being crowned World Snooker champ[/caption]
He was congratulated at the Crucible by doting girlfriend LauraRex
AFPThe Belgian’s major purchase was splashing half of his prize money on a Ferrari[/caption]
InstagramBrecel pocketed £500,000 from his World Championship win[/caption]
Well, Luca Brecel has done all of that and more – put simply, he’s had the time of his life over these past 12 months.
The Belgian Bullet was crowned King of Sheffield in May 2023 in remarkable fashion, despite no practice and having never won a match at the venue on previous visits.
Off the table, he has lived the high life, exploring the globe with his girlfriend Laura and piling on the pounds with some fine dining.
Armed with an enormous pay cheque, care-free Brecel has gone on holidays and taken part in lucrative exhibitions in Dubai, Hong Kong, LA, Las Vegas, Seattle, Canada, Curacao, Romania and Portugal.
Last August, the jet-setting potter reckoned he had travelled to 14 countries within the space of four months.
He spent a week in Marbella with Belgium and Arsenal footballer Leandro Trossard.
He was left awe-struck in LA when he met his music idol – American rapper Game – whom he has a tattoo of on his arm.
His world championship-winning cue went AWOL for three weeks due to an airline error.
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And he decided to splash out on several high-end cars such as a stunning red Ferrari 488 (£250,000), Porsche Taycan (£111,000) and Ranger Rover Sport (£75,000).
His game this season may have suffered but boy, he’s had a lot of fun and seen the world.
As the champagne-clutching hotel bellboy famously said to George Best before his tryst with Miss World: ‘Where did it all go wrong?’
Brecel, 29, said: “We’ve been to some amazing countries and had a great time. We really enjoyed it. Some of those trips involved exhibitions.
“It was a really nice year for me and I’m really lucky for that.
“I got a couple of cars with my winnings. I got a Ferrari and a couple of others.
“Just to enjoy myself. I don’t really drive it that often.
“I’m not really home that often. So it’s not really a big thing, but yeah, I did it. And I think I deserved it maybe.
“To be honest, I live quite a simple life, apart from the cars maybe.
“I just love being at home when I have the chance to be at home. Walk the dog, watch a bit of television, play a few games.
“A pretty basic life to be honest. It maybe doesn’t look like that, but it is.”
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Brecel, who beat Mark Selby 18-15 in the final, continued: “Winning the world title was a brilliant moment in my career.
“I still remember the feeling when the pink went in and I was certain to win. It was a very special feeling.
“My life has changed. Just more attention everywhere and more interviews. It has sort of settled down now and I’m used to it. It’s a new start.”
Brecel noticed he had put on extra weight and over the past month, he has shed a stone by eating less and exercising more.
There have been a few highlights on the table – he lost finals to Ronnie O’Sullivan in Shanghai and Riyadh and then lifted the World Mixed Doubles with Reanne Evans.
Today he will take on qualifier David Gilbert in the first round with everyone wondering if he is the man to break the Crucible Curse that afflicts all first-time world champions.
Brecel said: “There are other legends in the game like Judd Trump and Neil Robertson and they’ve only won it once as well.
“It’s crazy to be in the same list. Who knows, I’d love to win it again.
“It’s funny because I didn’t have the best season but I feel like I could play well this year as well. I’m really looking forward to it.
“There has been no hunger this season. But I feel like I have got that back now since a couple of months. I’m really hungry – literally as well because I’m on a diet!”
Instagram @lauraav.bLuca and Laura enjoyed a double date with Leandro Trossard and his wife in Dubai[/caption]
InstagramBrecel clocked up 14 countries in four months[/caption]
Instagram @luca.brecelHe was shell-shocked to meet his music idol American rapper Game[/caption]
InstagramBrecel has racked up plenty of stamps on his passport[/caption]
Instagram @luca.brecelThe iconic motor set him back £250,000[/caption]
InstagramLaura and Luca have certainly enjoyed their year[/caption]
InstagramThey have posted snaps from all over the world[/caption]
InstagramThis boat trip in the sunshine looked rather idyllic[/caption]
InstagramHe has made the most of his year in the spotlight[/caption]
GettyHe has gone on a diet to trim the pounds before his title defence[/caption]