West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta is still under investigation for potential betting breaches in 2022 and 2023.
Lucas Paqueta was just warming up for West Ham at the start of the 2023/24 season when it emerged that he was being investigated for his alleged involvement in a betting scam.
It was claimed in the Brazilian media that a decision was due to be made on the 26-year-old’s future on June 10th, when senator Jorge Kajuru was set to meet with other members of the ‘The Parliamentary Inquiry Commission’.
No news has emerged since then though, regarding whether the Hammers star will be punished in his homeland or not.
The former Lyon man would have gone through a terrible time over the past year or so, but he’s had a strong support group around him.
Paqueta’s teammate Edson Alvarez moved to the London Stadium one year after the Brazilian did.
The Mexican has firmly established himself as a real fan favourite. He is slightly card happy, but his aggressive approach to the game is what the fans love.
And Alvarez’s approach to not only football, but life in general, shone through brightly when Paqueta broke the news of the betting scandal to his teammates…
What Edson Alvarez told Lucas Paqueta when betting news broke
The Mexico and Brazil internationals have formed an extremely close relationship over the past 12 months.
The two players couldn’t be any different in playing style on the pitch, but off it they are clearly very compatible.
I cannot wait to see Alvarez go from strength to strength now playing under new manager Julen Lopetegui.
The Spaniard likes his teams to pass out from the back, and build up play through midfield. Alvarez should flourish in this system, with his ability on the ball and composure in possession.
The same can be said for Paqueta. He should be given more freedom to express himself in the final third, and I’m sure he’ll be played centrally, rather than out wide on the left.
That’s if he is cleared of the betting charges levelled against him of course – ones that he vehemently denies.
Whether Paqueta is guilty or innocent, he clearly has the support of his teammates.
According to The Athletic, Alvarez was ‘especially vocal’ when the Brazilian shared the news regarding the betting breaches investigation:
“When news of the investigation broke in August, West Ham’s players held a team meeting without then-manager David Moyes and his backroom staff. Paqueta was tearful during the meeting and told his team-mates he was innocent and felt he was being picked on by the FA.”
“Summer signing and Mexico international Edson Alvarez was especially vocal, saying he would protect Paqueta on the pitch if anyone tried to target him.”
“In West Ham’s 5-0 victory over Freiburg in the Europa League round of 16 in March, Paqueta ran to Alvarez to hug him after opening the scoring to show his appreciation.”
How good is that to hear.
It doesn’t surprise me in the slightest to be fair though. Alvarez is clearly a leader of men, and always stands up for his teammates on the pitch.
In fact, I think he should be made the Hammers captain before the start of the new season, in place of Kurt Zouma.
Edson Alvarez stood by Lucas Paqueta, when the Brazilian needed his teammates the most after the betting scandal emerged.
Now let’s just hope that the story ends well for the 26-year-old, and of course West Ham.
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