Tears and turmoil: Brazil in the mud without Lucas Paqueta after shunning West Ham’s midfield talisman

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There’s tears and turmoil as Brazil are left in the mud without West Ham star Lucas Paqueta after turning their back on the midfield talisman.

West Ham have had 11 players away with their national sides during the latest international break.

But it is one Hammers ace who has been left at Rush Green that has perhaps had the biggest impact of all.

Lucas Paqueta has statistically been the best all round player in the Premier League with his performances for West Ham so far this season.

So there is no doubt he should have been in the latest Brazil squad for important World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay.

But there’s tears and turmoil as Brazil are left in the mud without West Ham star Paqueta after turning their back on the midfield talisman.

Brazil continue to exclude West Ham’s star man Paqueta amid the investigation into illegal betting despite the midfielder protesting his innocence.

Make no mistake if Brazil fail to win a game, it’s a crisis in the football-mad country of nearly 215 million people.

So the Selecao will surely be regretting their stance against West Ham’s Brazilian magnifico Paqueta.

Arguably the most in-form Brazilian player on the planet, Paqueta has been left out of the last two squads.

Without West Ham’s talisman, Brazil threw away a 1-0 lead to draw 1-1 with Venezuela in a 2026 World Cup qualifier last week to end a 15-match winning streak on home soil.

And overnight they lost 2-0 to Uruguay, sparking an angry backlash back in Brazil while Paqueta’s close friend Neymar was stretchered off in tears following a knee injury.

Paqueta has been described as Brazil’s ‘joker in the pack’ in that he can play so many different positions for the team. The Hammers hero was clearly missed as the dreadful results highlight.

It has left them third in the qualifying group and under pressure ahead of even tougher games against Colombia and Argentina next month.

Instead of rallying around the player, as West Ham have done, Brazil seem to have instead turned their back on him.

Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?

This week Hammers News spoke to West Ham majority owner David Sullivan and The FA for an update on the Paqueta situation.

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