Brazilian-Style Breakup: Why West Ham and Lucas Paquetá Parted as Enemies

The long-running saga surrounding the Brazilian playmaker’s transfer to Flamengo ended not with warm words, but with a cold, pointed statement from West Ham United. Notably, the club stopped short of thanking Lucas Paquetá himself. Instead, the London side expressed gratitude to staff and supporters for standing by the midfielder during two years of betting-related investigations — a message many interpreted as a thinly veiled swipe at the player’s perceived lack of appreciation.

The tone underlined just how bitter the split had become, even though Paquetá was cleared of all charges in July 2025.

The January Turning Point

Relations truly deteriorated in January. After being substituted during a match against Nottingham Forest due to back spasms, Paquetá reportedly told head coach Nuno Espírito Santo he was not mentally ready to continue playing. He refused to feature in an FA Cup fixture and began training separately, insisting a return to Brazil was necessary for his peace of mind.

West Ham initially rejected two offers from Flamengo. But the player’s stance — along with pressure from people close to him, including Brazil teammate Vinícius Júnior — eventually pushed the club toward accepting a €42 million deal.

“Battles That Aren’t Mine”

In his farewell video, Paquetá said returning home was essential for his mental health and his family. He spoke about emotional “scars” that would stay with him forever and revealed he had turned down approaches from European clubs because he could no longer fight “battles that aren’t mine.”

While he did thank West Ham, the message was clear: after everything he had endured, continuing his career in England was no longer possible.

A Brilliant Spell Overshadowed

It was a sad ending to what had once been a vibrant chapter. At his peak, Paquetá was the team’s creative heartbeat, helping West Ham win the UEFA Europa Conference League and coming close to a blockbuster move to Manchester City.

His “Copacabana dancer” flair thrilled manager David Moyes and teammates alike. But in recent months, fan patience wore thin amid inconsistent performances and disciplinary lapses — including a costly red card against Liverpool FC.

Support from within the squad, including Jarrod Bowen and Edson Álvarez, was not enough to keep a player whose heart, as The Athletic journalist Roshane Thomas noted, was already back in Rio.

Relief as Much as Regret

Nuno Espírito Santo struck a more diplomatic tone in his goodbye, calling Paquetá a unique talent impossible to replace. Yet for the club, the separation also brought relief. West Ham secured a substantial fee and removed a source of tension from the dressing room.

What once looked like a partnership destined for club folklore instead dissolved into resentment, silence, and a mutual desire to move on as quickly as possible.