It took a few matches and a bit of noise from the Brazilian press, but Lucas Paqueta has now scored his first goal since leaving West Ham United.
As Reported in BrazilThe midfielder scored his first goal since leaving the London Stadium, doing so in a heavyweight clash for Flamengo against Botafogo. The 2–1 victory secured a place in the semi-finals of the state championship, but the main story in Brazil focused on Paqueta finally showing what he came for.
This was his fifth match since returning from West Ham. His first few games did not go well. Local reports suggest he looked a little off the pace and was struggling to impose himself. There was obvious criticism from local pundits, especially given the scale of his withdrawal.
After all, Flamengo paid £36.1m (€42m) to re-sign himMaking it the most expensive transfer in Brazilian football history. That price tag ensured scrutiny from day one.
A local Pandit Neto called him “A third-tier player, just a TikTok sensation”. live on tvHe also took a dig at West Ham: “He has scored 137 games and 23 goals in three years for West Ham, a small, insignificant club that nobody knows. Are you crazy? Paqueta is a mediocre player and not even worth half that.”
However, the first reactions came immediately.
Having played 18 minutes in Sunday’s derby, Paqueta controlled the ball on the edge of the box, and fired a composed left-footed finish into the bottom corner. Former Bournemouth keeper Neto There was no chance. It was a neat, technical strike – exactly the type of goal that West Ham supporters remember from his Premier League spell.
Celebrations followed immediately. A kiss to the badge. Then the familiar dance in front of the away end. It was part relief, part statement.
Botafogo equalized early in the second half, but Flamengo regained control late on. Paqueta’s opener had already changed the tempo and put to rest any doubts about his intensity.
For West Ham, watching from afar, it was a reminder of the quality they once relied on in big moments. In the derby atmosphere, under pressure, Paqueta again performed.
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