West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá has returned to Flamengo, finally fulfilling his wish to go back to Brazil. The BBC has detailed the reasons behind Paquetá's desire to leave the Hammers.
Previously, Paquetá appeared to have firmly established himself in English football, having received an £80 million offer from Manchester City in 2023. However, allegations of match-fixing derailed the transfer, not only endangering Paquetá's career but also causing a significant decline in his on-pitch performance.
Sources close to Paquetá revealed that his mental health was severely impacted, and he completely lost trust in the English football governing bodies, sparking his longing to return to his homeland from that point on.
In late December 2024, amid rumors linking him with Flamengo, Paquetá posted a reference to Vem Me Busca (Come Pick Me Up), a song by Brazilian gospel music duo Jefferson & Suellen. The lyrics roughly translate to: “I do not belong here, I will eventually return home; he will come to pick me up, and I will go with him.”
Although Paquetá was ultimately cleared of the related allegations, he remained insistent on returning to Brazil. Negotiations between West Ham and Flamengo, led by sporting director José Botelho, were initiated on December 23 and formally finalized on January 28. West Ham initially demanded a transfer fee of around £52 million from Flamengo, which was negotiated down to £35.5 million—still a record transfer fee paid by a Brazilian club.
The Hammers were flexible on the transfer fee but hoped Paquetá would stay on loan until the end of the season to help the team secure survival. However, Paquetá believed his time in London had come to an end, and his entourage ultimately facilitated his return to Flamengo.
Paquetá will likely be fondly remembered by West Ham fans: he helped the club win the UEFA Europa Conference League title, remained a regular in the Brazil national team during his tenure, and became a key player in the strongest West Ham squad in recent years under former manager David Moyes.
Following Paquetá's departure, West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo said: "He wanted to return to Brazil and received an offer. We know he is a special person and a special player, and the team will continue to move forward. We wish him all the best."
