Life after leaving West Ham United has not yet worked out for a certain Lucas Paqueta.
Back in January, Paqueta tarnished his West Ham United legacy by forcing them to sell him to former club Flamengo.
It was a huge moment in Brazilian football. Never before had a Brazilian club paid so much money (reportedly £38million) for a player, as Flamengo flexed their financial muscle after playing in the Club World Cup.
How will you remember Lucas Paqueta? 🤔
A graphic showing Lucas Paqueta's all-time statistics for West Ham.
Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej/MB Media
Still, Paqueta has struggled since leaving West Ham. Though a return of four goals in 17 appearances isn’t that bad, it’s perhaps not what many were expecting after such a big move.
Indeed, Paqueta was also left out of the Brazil squad in the build-up to the 2026 World Cup but has now received the backing of an absolute titan of Brazilian football in Zico.
Zico backs Paqueta to come good for Flamengo
The former Brazil midfielder is one of the greatest players in Flamengo history, as well as Brazilian football as a whole.
The 73-year-old issued a stirring defence of Paqueta when speaking to ESPN: “We all feel the difference in football. From day-to-day life, to training and the game itself. ‘Because football there is faster, here it’s slower,’ that’s not true.
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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
“Today almost everything is the same, all the leagues in the world. What differs is playing a long time in one position and having to adapt to another.
“It depends on what the coach wants. His quality is undeniable. He’s a very talented player. And he’s trying to adapt to a new role. I like him in midfield. We can’t demand more from a player based on his worth or cost, but rather on what he shows on the field.”
While he will always have a place in West Ham United history after that through ball to Jarrod Bowen in Prague, the grass hasn’t proven to be greener for Paqueta out in Brazil just yet.
Flamengo's midfielder #20 Lucas Paqueta reacts during the Supercopa do Brasil 2026 final football match between Flamengo and Corinthians at the Arena BRB Mane Garrincha stadium
Photo by Sergio Lima / AFP via Getty Images
In fact, Paqueta might not go to the World Cup with Brazil, something few would have imagined when he returned to his homeland to so much fanfare.
While West Ham didn’t want to sell Paqueta, it has at least worked out for them.
Clearly, they might still get relegated but his departure gave way to clarity for Nuno Espirito Santo here in east London.
Without Paqueta, the central midfield partnership of Tomas Soucek and Mateus Fernandes has flourished, while Crysencio Summerville has been able to step up and assist Bowen in carrying the attacking burden.
So far, West Ham look like the big winners of Paqueta’s exit.
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