Lucas Paqueta was officially unveiled by Flamengo on Monday at Ninho do Urubu, fresh from his debut in the Supercopa do Brasil defeat to Corinthians. Returning to his boyhood club seven years after departing for Europe, the midfielder opened up about the factors that drove him to leave West Ham to rejoin the Rubro-Negro.

"Firstly, it is impossible not to mention happiness, as that was the driving force behind my decision," Paqueta explained. "I had several opportunities to remain in Europe and England, but the prospect of feeling truly happy is what drew me back to Flamengo. Secondly, everyone knows my love for this club; I grew up here, it is my home. Naturally, the club’s current financial stability and recent track record of success made the chance to be part of this project even more enticing."

Reaching for a musical metaphor to articulate his deep-seated affection for the club, he added:

"To quote the song: 'only those who are red-and-black can understand'. It is a love I have always carried. I wanted to come home. It is about feeling and identity. That is exactly what I feel," he revealed.

Paqueta’s determination to force through the move proved pivotal during negotiations. The player went to extraordinary lengths to ensure the deal happened, not only funding his own flight to Rio de Janeiro but also sacrificing more lucrative financial offers to facilitate his return to Brazil. He emphasised:

"I did everything humanly possible to make this happen. Nothing would have been possible without Flamengo and the elite infrastructure the club now provides. I did what I could—first and foremost for myself, my happiness, and my family. To return home and represent Flamengo was my only goal, and that was never going to change," he stated.

The 27-year-old also touched upon the concrete interest he received to remain in Europe, most notably from Chelsea, which would have offered him another crack at the Champions League.

"It is no secret that I had the chance to stay in Europe, with interest from Chelsea and the lure of the Champions League. Those were dreams I had to weigh up," the player admitted, noting that he ultimately chose personal well-being over more prestigious or financially rewarding alternatives.

Reflecting on his stint abroad, the midfielder highlighted how his time in Europe facilitated his growth both on and off the pitch:

"I return as a different person, naturally. I have grown not just as a professional, but as a man. I am a father now; I have a family. I have returned with more experience, having learned and evolved at every stop. I am more resilient now and better equipped to handle the challenges and situations I will face here," he added.

However, Paqueta was quick to point out that maturity does not make the game any less demanding:

"Being more resilient doesn't mean it gets easier. I couldn't sleep after that missed goal; I am my own harshest critic. But today is a new day and I have to keep my head high. I know my potential and what I can offer Flamengo. Naturally, I wanted to arrive and immediately be a champion. Everything I sacrificed to be here—from paying for the flight to walking away from my West Ham salary—was done with that objective in mind," he affirmed.

Finally, Paqueta struck an optimistic tone when looking ahead, using the disappointment of the Supercopa as fuel for future success:

"I wanted to seize that opportunity, but it didn't go as planned. My experience abroad helps me realise that today is a fresh start. I will work tirelessly to ensure I convert the next chance and help Flamengo to silverware," he concluded.

28 Jan2026	West Ham	Flamengo	€42M
29 Aug2022	Olympique Lyonnais	West Ham	€42M
30 Sept2020	Milan	Olympique Lyonnais	€23M
04 Jan2019	Flamengo	Milan	€38M
02 Mar2016	Flamengo U20	Flamengo	Free transfer

L. Paquetá

Transfer History