LOVIN' THE VIDA LUCA

Brecel's tattoos speak volumes as he hopes the writing is on the wall for Rocket in a mouthwatering showdown today

- HECTOR NUNNS

LUCA BRECEL takes on the great Ronnie O'Sullivan today as a 'free bird, loving his vida loca'.

Those are the two tattooed mottos on the hands of the 28-year-old Belgian who, like the Rocket a few decades earlier, was a child snooker prodigy.

O'Sullivan is looking to defend his title and chalk up a record eighth Crucible crown to edge clear of Stephen Hendry's mark. But world No.10 Brecel's greatest days may still be yet to come.

He won the 'Most Promising Talent' category at the Belgian Sports Awards as a 15-year-old, 12 months after a certain Romelu Lukaku (below), Belgium's alltime record scorer on 72 goals.