Lucas Paqueta’s West Ham United departure took a turn for the better over the weekend as the Brazil international did something in a Flamengo shirt that he has not done since 2018.
He scored a goal for his beloved Rio-based giants.
Until then, the early noises surrounding Lucas Paqueta – the prodigal son of Flamengo – suggested this could quickly turn into a classic ‘never go back’ sort of situation. Plenty of footballers have struggled to live up to lofty expectations when re-lighting an old flame; see Andriy Shevchenko, Robbie Fowler, arguably Cristiano Ronaldo.
Serious question – are you taking a peak Mateus Fernandes or a peak Lucas Paqueta in your dream midfield?!
A graphic showing Mateus Fernandes being voted Man of the Match by West Ham fans vs Burnley.
Credit: Getty Images/Chris Brunskill/Fantasista
And with his only goal contribution in his first four games back at Flamengo being an inadvertent assist for Internacional in a 1-1 draw – the playmaker gave the ball away in the build up to their equaliser – head coach Filipe Luis admitted that Paqueta was ‘suffering more than I expected’.
He needed this, then.
On his fifth appearance since leaving West Ham United for just shy of £40 million, and on his 100th appearance across two spells at Flamengo, Lucas Paqueta scored a goal.
A fine goal too.
Lucas Paqueta ends Flamengo ‘suffering’ as he scores first goal since leaving West Ham United
Lucas Paqueta of Flamengo runs during the 2026 Brazilian Super Cup against Corinthians
Photo by Ton Molina/Getty Images
Arriving late at the edge of the box – something he made a habit of in the opening weeks of the current campaign with West Ham – Paqueta slotted a silky, left-footed finish into the bottom corner to kick-start a 2-1 win away at Botafogo.
The last time Paqueta scored in a Flamengo shirt – in October 2018 – Slaven Bilic’s West Ham side were licking their wounds following a 3-0 home defeat by Chris Hughton’s Brighton and Hove Albion.
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“It’s an immense joy. Scoring with this shirt has always been special for me,” a relieved Paqueta told reporters after he finally started repaying some of that record-breaking price-tag.
“Filipe [Luis] and I talked a lot. He knows very well where I feel comfortable playing. I’m available to help him in any way I can.”
“The goal is important for the team,” added Luis, the former Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Brazil left-back. “Paqueta does everything for the team.
“Of course, we want to get the best out of each player, but we always want the best for Flamengo . Paquetá played a solid game, valued the role he played on the field, was rewarded with a goal.
“But, above all, his defensive work was very focused. I’m very happy with his performance. He will still improve, I have no doubt. He will flow better, and the team will grow.”
Paqueta exit has coincided with Crysencio Summerville’s explosion
As club president Luiz Eduardo Baptista admitted, in an interview with Diario AS earlier this month, convincing West Ham to sell Paqueta was no easy task. Not with the Hammers stuck in the relegation zone.
This, though, could be one of those rare occasions when a transfer suits all involved.
Paqueta gets to return home to Rio, putting the legal troubles which hung over him like a black mid-winter cloud behind him for good. Flamengo land themselves one of the most high-profile signings in Brazilian football history, as Baptista talks up the prospect of transforming his club into Rio’s answer to Real Madrid.
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Crysencio Summerville of West Ham United in action during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium on February 10, 2026 in London, England.
West Ham appear a team playing with a renewed sense of freedom, meanwhile, without the distraction caused by that incessant speculation. Former goalkeeper David James feels it is no coincidence that Crysencio Summerville is thriving in Paqueta’s absence.
Ahead of Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off at home to AFC Bournemouth, Summerville is looking to make it seven goals in eight appearances across all competitions.
“I think the whole West Ham situation is interesting,” James said on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily Podcast.
“With Paqueta leaving, I think what has happened now is the rest of the players have the opportunity to flourish and I think Summerville has fallen into that. If you look at his recent form it’s all since Paqueta has not been there.
“I thought he [Summerville] was a great signing when they signed him and have been waiting for him to show the kind of form from when he was at Leeds and sometimes he was superb. Now we’re seeing it.”
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