PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lucas Tolentino Coelho de Lima |
| Date of Birth | 27/08/1997 (Age: 28) |
| Place of Birth | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 1.80 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 72 kg |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Squad Number | #8 |
| Current Club | Flamengo |
| Previous Clubs | Flamengo, Milan, Lyon, West Ham United |
| International Caps | 50+ |
| International Goals | 10+ |
| World Cup Appearances | 2022, 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2030 |
The Frozen Moment
The tears came unexpectedly. In May 2025, during a routine Premier League match against Tottenham, Lucas Paquetá received a yellow card and broke down on the pitch. His teammates rushed to console him. The weight of two years—two years of accusations, investigations, and the threat of a lifetime ban—had finally become too much to bear.
“It was always about the fine margins with Lucas,” said former West Ham manager David Moyes. “He drives me mad sometimes, but everybody who watched him would say, ‘This player has got incredible talent.'”
By January 2026, Paquetá had fulfilled a long-held ambition: he returned to his native Brazil, signing for Flamengo for a Brazilian club-record fee of £35.5 million. The move wasn’t about money—he had turned down offers from other European clubs to go home. It was about finding joy in football again.
Origins
Lucas Paquetá was born in Rio de Janeiro on August 27, 1997. He grew up dreaming of playing for Flamengo, the club he supported as a boy. He joined Flamengo’s youth system and made his professional debut in 2016, scoring 18 goals in 95 appearances and winning the Campeonato Carioca in 2017.
His flair, technical quality, and emotional connection to the club made him a fan favourite. “He captivated the fans with his technical quality, celebrations, and for being an authentic Flamengo supporter,” Brazilian media noted.
The European Journey
Paquetá’s European career was a story of promise and turbulence. In 2018, he joined AC Milan. The following year, he moved to Lyon, where he began to fulfil his potential. In 2022, West Ham United signed him for an initial €43 million.
At West Ham, he became a key figure. In the 2022-23 season, he helped the club win the UEFA Europa Conference League, providing the assist for Jarrod Bowen’s winning goal in the final against Fiorentina. Over his 139 appearances for the Hammers, he scored 23 goals and delivered 15 assists.
His performances were so impressive that Manchester City made an £80 million bid for him in the summer of 2023. The move collapsed due to the FA investigation into allegations of spot-fixing.
The Investigation and Its Toll
For two years, Paquetá lived under the shadow of the FA investigation. The charges related to alleged spot-fixing dating back to 2022 and 2023. If found guilty, he faced a potential lifetime ban.
The toll on his mental health was severe. Those close to Paquetá said he lost faith in the English football authorities and began to yearn for a return home. In late December 2024, he quoted a song by Brazilian gospel duo Jefferson and Suellen, with lyrics that translated: “I’m not from here, I will return home.”
In July 2025, Paquetá was cleared of all charges by an independent commission. The commission found the four charges against him “not proven.” But the damage had been done. He continued to push for a move back to Brazil.
The Return Home
In January 2026, Paquetá returned to Flamengo. The move was deeply personal. “I need this. For my mental health, my wife and my children,” he said in an emotional statement. “I just need to find joy in football again and regain my peace.”
Vinicius Junior, his close friend and former Flamengo teammate, supported the move: “I want him to be happy. His happiness is my happiness. We grew up and played together at Flamengo. I know how much that club means to him.”
The Anatomy of His Game
Paquetá is a player defined by his flair, creativity, and technical quality. He operates primarily as an attacking midfielder or playmaker, capable of unlocking defences with his vision and passing.
In possession
, his left foot is a wand. He is capable of delivering accurate crosses, through balls, and set-pieces. At West Ham, he had a catalogue of memorable moments, including a pass in Prague that will live forever. In the 2026 World Cup, despite starting four matches, he provided one assist against Haiti.
Out of possession
, his defensive contributions have been inconsistent. He can be a liability, dawdling on the ball, committing needless fouls, and picking up bookings.
His weakness
has been his mental fragility. The investigation clearly took its toll, and his form suffered as a result. In his final season at West Ham, he registered only one assist in 18 Premier League games.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2026 World Cup)
| Opponent | Start/Sub | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Shots | Key Passes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | Y | 60 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Haiti | Y | 63 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| Scotland | Y | 65 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| Japan | Y | 45 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — |
| Total | 4 starts | 233 | 0 | 1 | 5 | — |
TABLE B: West Ham United Career Stats
| Season | League Apps | League Goals | Total Apps | Total Goals | Total Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 28 | 3 | 32 | 4 | 4 |
| 2023-24 | 31 | 6 | 40 | 6 | 8 |
| 2024-25 | 33 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 4 |
| 2025-26 | 18 | 1 | 19 | 1 | 5 |
| Total | 110 | 10 | 139 | 23 | 15 |
TABLE C: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Copa América Winner | Part of Brazil’s victorious squad |
| 2023 | Europa Conference League Winner | Provided winning assist in final |
| 2025 | Cleared of Betting Charges | FA investigation concluded |
| 2026 | Flamengo Return | Brazilian club-record fee |
| 2026 | World Cup Campaign | Injured in knockout stage |
The Present Tense
At the 2026 World Cup, Paquetá was a key part of Carlo Ancelotti’s plans. He started all four of Brazil’s matches, playing 233 minutes. His World Cup came to a premature end when he suffered a hamstring injury in the Round of 32 victory over Japan.
The diagnosis was a grade two hamstring strain, which would typically require three weeks of recovery. Brazil’s medical staff initiated an intensive treatment protocol, but his tournament was effectively over unless Brazil reached the final.
“I’ve been through this before,” Paquetá wrote on Instagram Story as he began his rehabilitation.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Paquetá’s story is one of resilience. He faced two years of public scrutiny and the threat of a lifetime ban. Despite this, he remained an active Brazil international and was called up for World Cup qualifiers in July 2026.
His teammates loved playing with him. Vladimir Coufal described his style as “like he’s dancing on the Copacabana. He’s amazing and he feels no pressure when he plays. He just always enjoys himself.”
The Verdict from the Camp
Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil head coach:
“We are all hoping that Paqueta recovers in time.”
Nuno Espirito Santo, former West Ham manager:
“For me, Lucas is a special player, a special person, he’s a number 10. He wanted to go to Brazil, and you keep moving, knowing that he’s a special person and special player.”
Rivaldo, Brazil World Cup winner:
“Paquetá is important, he came back well, scored a goal, and that gives confidence. After everything he went through last year, he is now more at ease, and that helps a lot. He has everything to establish himself as a starter.”
Where Next?
Lucas Paquetá is 28 years old and back at Flamengo, the club he has always called home. His contract runs until December 2030. The move to Brazil has given him a chance to find joy in football again and regain his peace.
His legacy is already secure. He is a Copa América winner, a Europa Conference League winner, and a player who overcame two years of allegations to clear his name. His career has been a journey of resilience: from the streets of Rio de Janeiro to the World Cup stage.
