Lucas Paqueta let his frustration get the better of him during West Ham United’s 2-0 defeat by Liverpool, the Brazil international putting forward his candidate for the ‘silliest red card of the Premier League’ season award.
He will have some competition, of course.
While Paqueta’s red card was nothing short of ‘ridiculous’ on Sunday afternoon – two yellow cards a matter of moments after ignoring all advice to shut his trap – at least he didn’t do what Idrissa Gana Gueye did and give a West Ham United teammate a slap around the chops.
That, though, is a bar so low it barely gets off the ground.
And while the West Ham supporters are not having Paqueta’s excuses – no matter the reason, he let his teammates down when there was still a result to fight for – even his greatest detractors cannot say he doesn’t have a reason to let those emotions bubble over.
“It’s ridiculous to have your life and career affected for two years without any psychological support from the federation,” he wrote in a frantic X post, aiming the blame squarely at the Football Association following two years of legal hell.
“Perhaps this ridiculous behaviour is just a reflection of everything I’ve had to endure and, it seems, have to continue enduring! I’m sorry if I’m not perfect.”
But one wonders if there might have been another reason behind Lucas Paqueta’s sudden and stunning loss of composure. A case of Flamengo-themed ‘FOMO’, perhaps.
West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta may feel he missed out on Flamengo glory
The Rio-born playmaker has never hid his desire to come full circle, and end his career back where it began.
And though Paqueta will be forever grateful to West Ham – they backed him every step of the way before he was finally acquitted of spot-fixing charges in July – it is no secret that the former Flamengo kid dreams of rejoining his old employers.
In fact, he has held detailed discussions with the Brazilian giants twice as a West Ham player. Once in 2023, and again just last summer.
“The first was when [former vice-president Marcos] Braz was still at Flamengo. There was that contact. I know of Flamengo’s desire, and they know of my desire, my passion for the club, so it’s something that always happens,” Paqueta told Globo Esporte in November.
“As soon as I was accused [in 2023], and the whole trial process was about to begin, Braz came to my house, made the offer, and asked what I thought. Obviously, I always want to go back to Flamengo, but at that moment I was still a bit undecided about my decision, about what I was going to do.
“I also talked to the West Ham director and said; ‘Braz, I want to go back. I know I’ll feel good at Flamengo. But I can’t be ungrateful to the club that’s supporting me so much.’
“[West Ham] supported me a lot at all times, helped me in various situations, so I couldn’t force an exit from a place where I was being welcomed and respected. They respected me, my wife, my family.
“But yes, this exchange with Flamengo did happen.
“The second moment, incredibly enough, was when I already knew I could continue playing normally [once the verdict finally arrived in July]. That’s when I felt even more of a desire to return to Flamengo,” the 28-year-old added.
“Maybe I shouldn’t even be saying this, but I had some conversations with Filipe [Luis, Flamengo’s head coach], who is a friend. I really expressed my desire to return and also showed it to my agents.”
Paqueta may be wishing he was back in Brazil now
Is it a coincidence that Paqueta blew up in the face of referee Darren England just one day after Flamengo beat Palmeiras to claim the Copa Libertadores title? South America’s equivalent of the Champions League?
Now, most Flamengo fanatics would have been delighted to see red and black ticker tape colour the Peruvian night sky in Lima. But in the pit of Paqueta’s stomach may have sat a bittersweet feeling. Joy on one hand, of course, but on the other a nagging feeling that he missed out on such a glorious occasion when his attempted Rio return failed to come to fruition a few months previously.
There is a version of Paqueta out there somewhere, in some alternative dimension, crying tears of pure jubilation as he guides his team to continental glory.
As it is, he instead spent his weekend chasing Liverpool shadows and drawing an early bath, West Ham heading into December with only 11 points to their name and stuck in 17th.
But if he plans to hold talks with any interested parties again come the winter – Hammers News can confirm that a £50 million offer has arrived from Saudi Arabia – that is news to Nuno.
Nuno Espirito Santo thinks a West Ham exit is unlikely in January
As far as the head coach is concerned, Paqueta remains happy enough at West Ham. And, that bizarre red card aside, West Ham remain happy enough with him, presuming he makes up for that burst of madness.
“I spoke with Lucas. Lucas spoke not only with me but with all the teammates. First of all, he apologised,” Nuno said during his press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
“He is aware of his mistake. But as a club, first and foremost, we protect our own. We solve these things among ourselves. It’s clear that everybody understands that, in life, mistakes can happen. On a football pitch sometimes, emotions you cannot control. But at the same time, everybody deserves a chance.
“He’s not okay. He’s suffering. He is disappointed. He is sad, but he realised the mistake that he made. And he’s willing to move forward.
“This is what people sometimes are not aware of; all the problems that football players endure. But Lucas, I think, is going to overcome this situation.
“I think it is affecting him, but he’s willing to move forward, to try and put this aside and to continue to play football in the way that he does.
“What I can assure you is that here at the club, we have all the support that the players need. Not only Lucas, but all the players and the staff. We have processes in the club that help and are willing to provide assistance here in the club.”
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