‘Sad’ Lucas Paqueta makes West Ham point as star explains Brazil blunder

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Lucas Paqueta, West Ham United’s occasionally-brilliant Brazilian number ten, is not the sort of footballer for whom the word ‘anxiety’ is often used as a description.

Even during a miserable start to the 2025/26 campaign, West Ham United’s worst start in 52 years, this most enigmatic of footballers could always be found trying those fancy flicks, or lining up shots from long range.

It doesn’t always come off, of course. The groans were audible as Paqueta lost possession in that 3-2 win over Burnley last time out, an attempted backheel succeeding only in giving the ball back to the opposition.

But that is just the way of things with Lucas Paqueta.

You will get the occasional anonymous performance, the odd silly mistake which puts his own team in danger. But, on the other hand, you will also get a rocket like the one he launched against Chelsea. Rough, meet smooth.

Days after Paqueta opened up on that failed Manchester City transfer, though, the mercurial Brazilian allowed a few nerves to creep in.

He spooned a late penalty over the bar as Carlo Ancelotti’s Selecao side missed the chance to secure a friendly victory over Tunisia at Lille’s Stade Pierre Mauroy.

Lucas Paqueta explains the difference between playing for West Ham United and Brazil

Much to Ancelotti’s delight, Lucas Paqueta broke new ground back in September. A fine header against Chile meant he had scored in four successive games for club and country for the very first time.

Two months on, he is now in on a run of one goal in 13 matches. A run he failed to break from 12 yards.

In quotes reported by Jogoda 10, Paqueta admitted that a dash of ‘anxiety’ may have knocked his radar off balance.

A far cry from the man who confidently stroked an effortless penalty past Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest the last time he stepped up to take a spot-kick.

“I’m sad that I couldn’t score and that I couldn’t help the national team. We probably would have won after that penalty,” said Paqueta, highlighting the difference between taking a spot-kick for West Ham and taking one with millions of expectant Brazilians watching your every move.

“I’m very used to scoring at my club, I have great successes, but I didn’t [prepare] the way I expect. The anxiety of scoring ended up hurting me a bit. I’ll try to put myself in those circumstances to improve in that sense so I can convert in the next opportunity and help the team.”

Carlo Ancelotti explains why Paqueta took penalty duties off Estevao

Paqueta has a 100 per cent record from the seven penalties he has taken in West Ham colours. In fact, the only two he has ever failed to convert both came when wearing the yellow and blue of Brazil.

Funnily enough, the Selecao had already scored one penalty against Tunisia, through Chelsea whizzkid Estevao at the end of the first half. Why, then, did he not take the second too?

“Paqueta is the penalty taker,” says Ancelotti, who introduced the former Lyon and AC Milan ace with around half an hour remaining.

“When the second penalty came, I changed my mind because I wanted to take some pressure off Estevao, and Paqueta usually takes them very well.”

Paqueta will be a key part of Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. Not only for his usually ice-cool finishing from the spot, but also because he brings the sort of tactical flexibility Ancelotti admires.

“It’s already been seven years with the national team, working, dedicating myself and striving,” adds Paqueta, who made his Brazil debut in 2018 under Tite. “Many coaches have come and gone, and I keep returning and being part of the group, always willing to help and contribute.

“I’m very happy to be working with Ancelotti, who has a lot of confidence in me. We talk a lot. We are becoming more and more consistent and growing as a group. We will arrive gradually evolving, but we will arrive ready to compete in this World Cup.”

West Ham ace admits desire to make Flamengo return

Only time will tell whether the 28-year-old will still be a West Ham player when the Festival of Football kicks off in the USA next June. Hammers News can confirm that David Sullivan rejected a £50 million Saudi Arabian bid recently, though Lucas Paqueta may still be sold by a side who again need to raise funds before they can realistically start spending.

Paqueta held talks with Flamengo coach Filipe Luis over the summer, too. He does not hide his desire for a return to the club where he started his career.

“I felt even more of a desire to return to Flamengo,” Paqueta says, reflecting on the freedom afforded to him by his acquittal from spot-fixing charges.

“Maybe I shouldn’t even be saying this, but I had some conversations with Filipe, who is a friend. I really expressed my desire to return and also showed it to my agents.

“[But I am grateful because 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.”