Luca Brecel, the traveling snooker sensation, has expressed his gratitude to Leandro Trossard for guiding him to an elite private jet service for his booking.

The 30-year-old Belgian prodigy, a close ally of the 30-year-old Arsenal winger, intends to support him in tomorrow’s first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.

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On Saturday afternoon, the exceptional player flew from Belgium to the UK on the day he was scheduled to compete in his last 16 match at the Crucible against Ding Junhui.

The 2023 world champion departed from Maastricht in the Netherlands, arriving at East Midlands Airport at 3:17 PM.

Following his landing, he embarked on an hour-long drive to Sheffield, racing against the clock with his flight’s timing, especially due to possible weather challenges or landing limitations.

Brecel opted for the private jet for the 68-minute journey so that he could enjoy a night in his own home back in Maasmechelen.

He reached England only three and a half hours before facing Ding in the initial session, yet he showcased an impressive performance, leading 7-1 by the end of play.

He traveled with his father Carlo on a C510 Cessna Citation Mustang, which accommodates up to four passengers, cruising at 630 km/h with a range of up to 1500 kilometers.

Ultimately, the world No. 7 triumphed over Ding 13-4 on Monday night, needing just one frame in the third session and securing £50,000 for his place in the quarter-finals.

However, a significant portion of that earnings went to cover the 350-mile trip.

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Brecel achieved a first-round victory of 10-7 against Ryan Day last Thursday but chose not to stay in South Yorkshire.

On Friday, he playfully invited fans to join him for his spontaneous journey via Instagram: “I’ve got a private flight booked to Sheffield tomorrow at 15:00; anyone from Belgium who wants to join? DM me.”

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Brecel shared insights into his impulsive decisions, stating: “I prefer not to stick around for too long.

“I always aim to arrive just before my scheduled playtime. Even today, I showed up 15 minutes before my match.

“That’s always been my strategy — as long as it works, it’s fine.

“I made the booking just a day ahead. Naturally, I know Trossard from Arsenal, and he assisted me with the arrangements.

“It was quite straightforward. He provided me with the contact, and I took care of the rest. I won’t disclose the cost.”

World Snooker Championship 2025

We’re BACK at the Crucible for another thrilling fortnight of snooker!

A new champion is guaranteed this year as reigning champion Kyren Wilson was eliminated in the first round by Lei Peifan.

Ronnie O’Sullivan is set to return to the snooker table after missing recent events, while world No. 1 Judd Trump enters the tournament as the frontrunner.

Other contenders include Shaun Murphy and John Higgins.

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“If there’s a delay, then there’s a delay. I’ve allowed enough time for arrival.

“I’m unsure if I’m performing at the same level as I did in 2023, but I feel more at ease and less stressed about winning the title, as it felt like an exceptional opportunity when I reached the final.

“I believe I can return and win again. There’s not as much pressure now. It’s not draining my energy too much—yet.”

If he had arrived late for the 7 PM start on Saturday, he would have faced penalties, risking the loss of at least one frame—and if significantly delayed, he could have faced disqualification.

This situation arose earlier this season—unfortunately, Brecel faced disqualification from qualifying for the Xi’an Grand Prix on July 26 for not arriving.

He encountered heavy traffic last summer and missed his scheduled match against Hammad Miah in Leicester.

This allowed the English player to progress to the main draw of the second Chinese event of the season while Brecel forwent the £177,000 top prize.