"He's an incredible player. Not just on the pitch but off it as well. He is an example. The best in the world. I'm delighted to be able to play against him in the final," enthused the Brazilian.
The declarations come just a day after Gremio manager Renato Gaucho claimed that he was a better player than Ronaldo, with Luan quick to say that: "I never saw Renato play!".
Luan's career path has been a curious one, with the 24-year-old not playing football until the age of 19, hvaing previously exclusively played futsal. "I adapted to football quickly. The best thing about futsal was that I used to score in every game but now it is a bit harder. But at the same time now I have more room to driblle and run," he explained.
In the interview with 'GOAL', the highly-rated playmaker opened up on the difficult start to his Gremio career. "It was difficult, my mum was a cleaner and she had to work long hours," he recalled.
"My mum means everything to me. The message that excited me the most ahead of the final against Real Madrid was hers. She has always told me to be myself and follow my heart."
Luan's father passed away when he was young, hence the close bond with his mum. Can the man who idolises Ronaldo and Ronaldinho make his mark against 'Los Blancos' on Saturday night?