Former West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta has recently spoken about his departure from the London Stadium.
The Brazil international returned to Flamengo in January after handing in a transfer request at West Ham.
Even though the Hammers were not looking to sell Paqueta midway through the season, they accepted a £36.5 million offer.
Paqueta is now enjoying life back in Brazil and has even been named in Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad for the World Cup.
The 28-year-old has discussed the rollercoaster period in his professional football career on social media.
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Lucas Paqueta reflects on West Ham departure
Paqueta’s return to Flamengo has gone extremely well, helping them to second place in the Brazilian Serie A after 15 games.
The playmaker has made 21 appearances in all competitions for the Rio de Janeiro-based club, scoring seven goals.
His form has even earned him a place on the Brazilian plane to the United States for the 2026 World Cup.
The last few months have been a huge turnaround for Paqueta after he was cleared of all charges for spot-fixing at West Ham.
He recently reflected on his journey from the London Stadium back to his homeland and the success that has followed him.
“At first, none of this really made much sense. I decided to stay at West Ham for another six months. And then Flamengo appeared,” Paqueta said on TikTok.
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“And I thought, ‘Man, this can’t be real. There’s no way this is actually going to work out.’
“And once again, God surprised us. It was practically impossible for me to leave West Ham at that moment, but God brought me here.
“That guy who was supposedly going to be banned, that guy who only had three months left, who would never wear the national team shirt again, who would never score again, who would never play football again…
“That guy, God made him become the biggest signing in Latin America, for the glory and honour of his name.”
West Ham supporters will probably be divided on their feelings about Paqueta thriving in Brazil.
While some will be pleased for him, others will feel frustrated, given that he was often underwhelming in England.
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