It is all over for Lucas Paqueta at West Ham United, as the Brazilian maverick has headed back to Brazil and left east London behind. Paqueta arrived at West Ham in August 2022 and spent three-and-a-half seasons at the club, making 139 appearances and scoring 23 goals.
The Magic of Prague and the Midfield Mainstay
He was a vital part of our European trophy-winning season and provided the assist for Jarrod Bowen’s winning goal in the final – a moment that should have cemented him as a true Hammers legend. He was a mainstay in midfield during his time at the club; a player capable of magic whose fancy flicks and creativity lit up the pitch on occasion.
What he lacked in consistency, he made up for in skill, but his tenure may not be remembered solely with fondness by the faithful. The Brazilian midfielder was a luxury in a team that required fight over flair, and lately, the fight had completely gone out of him.
The Shadow of the FA Investigation
His time in claret and blue was significantly marred by FA accusations of match-fixing which, according to Paqueta, was the primary driver for his departure in the midst of our relegation battle. The official club statement noted that he wishes to “return home to Brazil and make a fresh start” after being cleared of the charges, a situation the club admitted caused him “significant mental strain”.
That statement was clearly written through gritted teeth, as it went on to say that despite the club doing “everything possible to persuade him to stay, he remained adamant that his wish was to leave”. The club also made a point of thanking everyone at West Ham for the “unwavering and devoted support” they showed Lucas, suggesting a level of frustration that the player was not exactly returning that loyalty when the team needed him most.
That is not to say what he endured was not truly awful. Paqueta first came under investigation in August 2023 for spot-fixing after questionable bookings and suspicious betting activity. He was charged with breaching betting rules in May 2024 and faced a lifetime ban before finally being cleared in August 2025.
Mental Strain and the Liverpool Boiling Point
It was a period of tremendous pressure. His rumoured big-money move to Manchester City collapsed and, although he maintained his innocence, his mental wellbeing suffered significantly. This carries over onto the pitch; Paqueta wavered between looking distracted, unmotivated, and wildly angry.
In November 2025, after being cleared, his anger boiled over against Liverpool as he was sent off for dissent following two rapid yellow cards for arguing with the referee. Post-match, Paqueta apologised for his behaviour while vilifying the FA for the anguish they caused and the lack of “psychological support” he received under the threat of a career-ending ban.
Abandoning the Ship During a Relegation Fight
It is an incredibly difficult position for a player, and fans undoubtedly sympathise with his ordeal. However, is it fair to hold that against the club and the supporters who stood by him, only to abandon ship during a relegation fight? When Paqueta was originally cleared, he was quoted as saying, “to West Ham United, to the fans who always cheered me on… thank you for everything”.
Just six months later, with West Ham staring down the drop, that gratitude has evaporated. He reportedly refused to play to force a move. It is a poor way to repay that “everything.” His departure message left a lot to be desired: just three words, “obrigado por tudo” (thank you for everything), after being absent for weeks while we desperately tried to stay in the Premier League.
Finding Focus: A Future Without the “Lamborghini”
Selling your best players before the ink is dry on a Premier League death certificate is a damning move, but fans do not seem to be crying in their cornflakes. The truth is, he may be a brilliant player on paper, but he has not been the player we have needed for a very long time. You do not need a Lamborghini for a grocery run when you are struggling to afford the groceries – especially one with an engine that only starts occasionally.
You need someone you can rely on, someone ready to go down with the ship. Paqueta proved this week he is not that person. Even though he contributed five goals and one assist this season, West Ham already look better without him. While he was throwing his toys out of the pram or potentially faking a back injury, the team started putting together performances that may lead us toward safety.
We have lost his creative potential, but we have also lost the uncertainty of not knowing which Paqueta will turn up. Starting Tomas Soucek alongside Fernandez in the middle is a sturdier approach, even if it is less pacey. Soucek is a leader who rarely gets pushed off the ball – something Paqueta experienced often. Our current midfielders also tend to track back and defend, a discipline Paqueta lacked.
The money received from his sale could – though one should not hold their breath with this board – purchase players the club currently needs: fighters and defenders who actually want to be here. Paqueta gave us brilliant moments, especially in Prague, but he could not come through when we needed him most. He will be remembered as an enigmatic figure, but not a dependable one. Thank you for your time, Lucas, but hopefully, we have got it from here.
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