West Ham ace Lucas Paqueta has joined Newcastle and Liverpool stars in feeling the wrath of football great Ronaldinho.
While the focus of English fans is on the Euros, West Ham, Liverpool and Newcastle also have players representing them in the Copa America.
West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta is in Brazil’s squad despite the case looming large over his head.
Paqueta’s best friend Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United is in there too.
And Liverpool have goalkeeper Alisson in Dorival Junior’s Selecao.
There has always been a great prestige to having a Brazil international at your club.
Brazil like a shadow of their former selves
But the famous yellow jerseys have been going through one of their worst spells in living memory.
Brazil would usually go into the Copa America as favourites but their form has been uncharacteristically bad for one of the world’s most famous teams.
So much so they are turning the great and the good off them at an alarming rate.
And West Ham ace Paqueta joins Newcastle and Liverpool stars in feeling the wrath of Ronaldinho.
Ahead of the tournament, which is being held in the USA, West Ham’s playmaker Paqueta, Magpies’ main man Guimares and Liverpool’s star stopper Alisson have their ears ringing after Brazil were blasted by the football great.
Paqueta joins Newcastle and Liverpool stars in feeling Ronaldinho wrath
One of the greatest players to have ever lived, Ronaldinho has declared he has “had enough” of Brazil.
And he is refusing to support the Selecao – including the stars from West Ham, Liverpool and Newcastle – in the Copa America.
Ronaldinho then posted the interview on his Instagram for the world to see.
“That’s it folks, I’ve had enough,” Ronaldinho said.
“This is a sad moment to enjoy Brazilian soccer.
“It’s hard to find the mood to watch the games. This is perhaps the worst time in the last two years, no respected leaders, just average players in their majority.
“I’ve been following football since I was a kid, long before I thought about becoming a player, and I’ve never seen a situation as bad as this.
“Lack of love for the shirt, lack of grit and the most important of all: football. I’ll repeat, our performance has been one of the worst things I’ve ever seen.
“Such a shame. I therefore declare my resignation. I will not watch any CONMEBOL Copa America game, nor celebrate any victory.”
Hard to hear for Hammers and Magpies pals
When Ronaldinho speaks, Brazil listens.
Players like West Ham’s skilful ace Paqueta and Newcastle’s all-round midfielder Guimaraes would likely have grown up idolising Ronaldinho.
So it must be tough for the Hammers and Magpies pals to hear those words.
As a leading senior player in the Brazil squad, they will hit Alisson hard too.
Perhaps this is an attempt from Ronaldinho to get Brazil fired up.
But West Ham and Newcastle in particular should be warned.
A bad tournament could impact the form and confidence of their star men for next season.
While West Ham are somewhat stuck with Paqueta until his case is settled, Newcastle have a big decision to make on whether to sell Guimaraes with PSG said to be wanting to activate his release clause.
Paqueta angered many West Ham fans in the second half of last season.
Some Hammers supporters felt he was “coasting” ahead of an expected £85m move to Man City.
But the official charges over alleged involvement in sport fixing have put paid to that. For now at least.
Newcastle reportedly wanted to reunite Paqueta and Guimaraes, who played together at Lyon, before West Ham paid £51m for him.
Now the Magpies are faced with the reality of having to sell him just to satisfy PSR rules and make signings.
READ ALSO
Major development in battle between West Ham and Spurs for striker
West Ham move for Barca star but Steidten must work magic
West Ham transfer blow as target is reduced to tears at Euros
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
