Lucas Paquetá
Brazilian footballer.
Lucas Paquetá is a Brazilian professional footballer who has made a significant impact in both club and international football. Born on August 27, 1997, in Rio de Janeiro, Paquetá has established himself as a versatile and creative attacking midfielder. His career began at Flamengo, where he joined the youth academy at the age of 10 and quickly rose through the ranks due to his exceptional technical skills and understanding of the game.Paquetá made his professional debut for Flamengo in 2016 and soon became a key player for the club. His performances in Brazil caught the attention of European clubs, leading to a move to AC Milan in January 2019 for €35 million. While his time in Italy had its ups and downs, Paquetá showcased flashes of brilliance with his technical dribbling and vision.
In September 2020, Paquetá transferred to Olympique Lyonnais in Ligue 1, where he found more consistent form. His ability to adapt and influence games in the midfield became more pronounced in France, where he became known for his work rate, offensive capabilities, and versatility in playing multiple midfield roles.Paquetá's impressive performances at Lyon led to a high-profile move to West Ham United in August 2022, marking his entry into the Premier League. This transfer, for a reported club-record fee, highlighted his growing reputation in European football. At West Ham, Paquetá has continued to showcase his skills, adding creativity and flair to the team's midfield.
Early life & youth football
Lucas Paquetá's early life and youth career were deeply rooted in the unique environment of Paquetá Island, located in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro. Born as Lucas Tolentino Coelho de Lima, he grew up in this car-free haven with a population of around 3,000 people. The island's sole grass pitch played a significant role in shaping Paquetá's early football development.Raised by his mother and inspired by his grandfather Mirao, Paquetá's family support was pivotal in his journey. His grandfather, a respected figure on the island and a municipal soccer coach, nurtured his passion for the game. Mirao would ferry young Lucas to training sessions, often taking the first speedboat at 5:30 am to reach Rio de Janeiro's mainland.
Paquetá's early football experiences involved playing barefoot on sandy pitches, which helped develop his agility and ball control. At the age of 10, he joined Flamengo's youth academy, marking the beginning of his formal football education. This move required significant commitment from his family, with Paquetá and his brother Matheus making daily trips from the island to Rio for training.At Flamengo's academy, Paquetá honed his skills, following in the footsteps of Brazilian football legends. Despite initial doubts about his small stature, Paquetá's technical abilities and understanding of the game set him apart. His dedication and natural talent saw him progress rapidly through the youth ranks, eventually earning him a place in Flamengo's first team.
Professional career
Lucas Paquetá's time with Flamengo was instrumental in launching his professional career and establishing him as one of Brazil's most promising young talents. He joined Flamengo's youth academy in 2007 at the age of 10, beginning a journey that would see him rise through the ranks to become a key player for the club's first team.During his early years in the academy, Paquetá faced significant challenges due to his small stature. At age 15, he was only 5 feet tall and struggled with a bone retardation disease that threatened his progression through the youth ranks.
However, with the support of his mother, Cristiane Tolentino, and through dedicated nutrition and training, Paquetá experienced a growth spurt, growing 27 cm (10.6 inches) by the age of 18.Paquetá's breakthrough came in 2016 when he won the Copa São Paulo de Júniores, the most important youth tournament in Brazil, with Flamengo's under-20 team. This success, along with his impressive performances, led to his promotion to the first team in March 2016.
On March 5, 2016, Paquetá made his professional debut for Flamengo in a 3-1 win over Bangu in the Rio de Janeiro State League. His first professional goal came nearly a year later, on February 19, 2017, in a 4-0 victory against Madureira.The 2017 season was particularly significant for Paquetá. He scored in both the Copa do Brasil final and the Copa Sudamericana final, although Flamengo finished as runners-up in both competitions.
His performances in these high-profile matches, especially in the Copa Sudamericana final where he was named Flamengo's best player, highlighted his ability to perform on big occasions.Paquetá's rise continued in 2018, which proved to be his final year with Flamengo. He was chosen as the best left-winger in the 2018 Campeonato Carioca and was the only Flamengo player selected for the team of the tournament. His performances attracted attention from European clubs, ultimately leading to his transfer to AC Milan in January 2019 for €35 million.
During his time at Flamengo, Paquetá made 65 appearances across all competitions, scoring 13 goals. He helped the club win the Campeonato Carioca in 2017 and was instrumental in establishing Flamengo as one of the top teams in Brazilian football. His partnership with Vinícius Júnior in 2017 was particularly noteworthy, with both players emerging as Flamengo's biggest stars that year. The 2018/19 season marked Lucas Paquetá's transition from Flamengo to European football with AC Milan.
He began the season with Flamengo, making 32 appearances and scoring 6 goals before his January 2019 transfer to Milan for €35 million. Paquetá made his Milan debut on January 12, 2019, in a Coppa Italia match against Sampdoria. He quickly became a regular in Gennaro Gattuso's midfield, making 17 appearances in Serie A.Paquetá scored his first goal for Milan on February 10, 2019, in a 3-0 win against Cagliari.
He dedicated this goal to the victims of a fire at Flamengo's youth academy. His performances showed flashes of his technical ability and creativity, but he also faced challenges adapting to the tactical rigors of Serie A. Paquetá ended the season with 1 goal and 2 assists in all competitions for Milan.Despite some promising moments, Paquetá's first half-season in Europe was one of adjustment.
He showed potential but also struggled with consistency, a common issue for young players making the transition to a new league and culture.The 2019/20 season was Paquetá's first full campaign with AC Milan, but it proved to be a challenging one. He made 27 appearances across all competitions but failed to score any goals, providing just one assist. The season was marked by managerial changes at Milan, with Marco Giampaolo replaced by Stefano Pioli in October 2019, which affected Paquetá's playing time and role in the team.
Paquetá struggled to find a consistent position in Milan's tactical setup, being used in various midfield roles without settling into any one spot. His performances were often criticized for lacking end product, despite his evident technical skills. The season was also disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a three-month suspension of Serie A.Despite the difficulties, Paquetá showed moments of quality, particularly in his ball control and dribbling.
However, his inability to consistently influence games led to speculation about his future at the club. By the end of the season, it was clear that Paquetá needed a change of environment to revitalize his career.The 2020/21 season saw a significant change for Paquetá as he moved from AC Milan to Olympique Lyonnais in September 2020 for €20 million. This transfer proved to be a turning point in his career.
At Lyon, under manager Rudi Garcia, Paquetá found a system and role that suited his playing style.Paquetá made 34 appearances for Lyon in all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing 7 assists. His performances in Ligue 1 were particularly impressive, as he quickly adapted to French football. Paquetá's creativity, work rate, and ability to play in multiple midfield positions made him a key player for Lyon.
One of the highlights of his season was a goal against Paris Saint-Germain in a 1-0 victory, showcasing his ability to perform in big matches. Paquetá's resurgence at Lyon also led to his recall to the Brazilian national team, where he played a significant role in their Copa América campaign.This season marked a significant improvement in Paquetá's form and confidence, establishing him as one of the most exciting midfielders in Ligue 1.The 2021/22 season saw Paquetá cement his status as one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1.
He made 44 appearances for Lyon across all competitions, scoring 11 goals and providing 7 assists. His performances were consistently high throughout the season, showcasing his technical skills, creativity, and improved goal-scoring ability.Paquetá's form earned him recognition beyond Lyon, as he was voted the best foreign player in Ligue 1 for the 2021/22 season. This award, determined by a public vote of over 20,000 people, highlighted his impact on French football.
In addition to his club success, Paquetá continued to be a key player for the Brazilian national team. He featured prominently in Brazil's World Cup qualification campaign and was part of the squad that reached the final of the Copa América.Paquetá's excellent performances throughout the season attracted interest from several top European clubs. His ability to influence games from midfield, combined with his work rate and tactical intelligence, made him one of the most sought-after players in the transfer market by the end of the season.
The 2022/23 season marked Lucas Paquetá's debut campaign with West Ham United following his club-record transfer from Lyon. He joined the Hammers on August 29, 2022, for a reported fee of more than £50 million, signing a five-year contract. Paquetá made his Premier League debut on August 31, 2022, coming on as a substitute in a 1-1 draw against Tottenham.Paquetá's first goal for West Ham came on January 4, 2023, in a 2-2 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road.
Throughout the season, he made 41 appearances across all competitions, scoring 5 goals and providing 7 assists. While his Premier League performances were somewhat inconsistent as he adapted to English football, Paquetá played a crucial role in West Ham's UEFA Europa Conference League campaign.The highlight of Paquetá's season came in the Europa Conference League final on June 7, 2023. He provided the assist for Jarrod Bowen's 90th-minute winner as West Ham defeated Fiorentina 2-1 in Prague to secure their first major European trophy since 1965.
This contribution earned Paquetá a place in UEFA's Team of the Tournament for the 2022/23 Europa Conference League.Despite West Ham's struggles in the Premier League, where they finished 14th, Paquetá's performances showed flashes of his quality. His technical skills, vision, and ability to play in multiple positions made him a valuable asset for manager David Moyes. The Brazilian's debut season in England was generally viewed as promising, with expectations of further improvement as he continued to adapt to the Premier League's style of play.
The 2023/24 season saw Lucas Paquetá continue to establish himself as a key player for West Ham United. Building on the experience gained in his debut season, Paquetá showed increased consistency and influence in the team's performances. His adaptability proved crucial as West Ham balanced their Premier League campaign with European commitments.By March 2024, Paquetá had made 21 appearances across all competitions, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists.
His performances in the Premier League demonstrated a better understanding of the league's physicality and pace, with Paquetá often being at the heart of West Ham's attacking play. His ability to link midfield and attack, combined with his work rate and defensive contributions, made him an integral part of David Moyes' tactical setup.In European competitions, Paquetá continued to shine, helping West Ham navigate through the group stages of the UEFA Europa League. His experience from the previous season's Europa Conference League triumph proved valuable in these matches.
Off the field, Paquetá's season was briefly overshadowed by an FA investigation into potential betting rule breaches. However, he continued to play while the investigation was ongoing, maintaining his focus on his on-field performances.Paquetá's form for West Ham also translated to his international career, as he remained a regular fixture in the Brazil national team. He featured in several international matches when available, contributing to Brazil's World Cup qualification campaign.
National team
Paquetá's international career with Brazil has been marked by steady progression and increasing importance to the national team. His debut for the Seleção came on September 7, 2018, in a friendly match against the United States. Since then, Paquetá has become a regular fixture in the Brazilian squad, earning over 40 caps and scoring several important goals.Paquetá's first major tournament with Brazil was the 2019 Copa América, which Brazil hosted and won.
Although not a starter at the beginning of the tournament, his performances off the bench impressed coach Tite, leading to more playing time as the competition progressed. His versatility proved valuable, as he was able to fill multiple midfield roles depending on the team's needs.The 2021 Copa América saw Paquetá take on an even more significant role. He scored the winning goal in the quarter-final against Chile and the only goal in the semi-final victory over Peru, helping Brazil reach the final. Although Brazil lost to Argentina in the final, Paquetá's performances throughout the tournament cemented his status as a key player for the national team.In the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Paquetá continued to be an important part of Brazil's midfield.
His ability to link play between defense and attack, combined with his goal-scoring threat, made him a valuable asset in Brazil's successful qualification campaign.At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Paquetá featured prominently in Brazil's squad. He started in several matches and scored in the round of 16 victory over South Korea. Although Brazil was eliminated in the quarter-finals, Paquetá's performances were generally well-received, further solidifying his place in the national team setup.
Beyond major tournaments, Paquetá has been a consistent performer in Brazil's friendly matches and other international fixtures. His ability to adapt to different tactical systems and his understanding of the game have made him a favorite of coach Tite and subsequent managers
Player’s style
Paquetá's style of play is characterized by his technical skill, creativity, and versatility. As an attacking midfielder, he possesses a unique blend of Brazilian flair and European tactical discipline, making him a valuable asset in modern football.One of Paquetá's key strengths is his exceptional ball control and dribbling ability. He's comfortable receiving the ball in tight spaces and has the skill to maneuver past defenders with quick feet and clever body feints.
This ability to retain possession under pressure makes him particularly effective in breaking down organized defenses.Paquetá's vision and passing range are also notable aspects of his game. He has the ability to play both short, intricate passes in build-up play and long, defense-splitting through balls. His creativity in the final third often leads to goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Defensively, Paquetá shows a strong work ethic and tactical understanding. He's not afraid to press opponents and contribute to his team's defensive efforts, making him suitable for high-pressing systems.Another significant aspect of Paquetá's play is his positional versatility. While primarily an attacking midfielder, he can also operate effectively as a second striker, a deeper-lying playmaker, or even in a wider role.
This flexibility allows his managers to utilize him in various tactical setups.Paquetá also possesses a good shot from distance and the ability to arrive late in the box, adding a goal-scoring threat to his creative play. His technique in striking the ball cleanly from outside the area makes him a danger from set-pieces and in open play.