Lucas Paqueta Lifts the Lid on “Back Injury” Drama: “I Tried to Push Through” for Flamengo Dream Move
West Ham fans, the Paqueta saga just got even spicier. In his first major revelations since sealing a shock €42m (£36.5m) switch to boyhood club Flamengo last week, Lucas Paqueta has finally addressed the controversial “back injury” that kept him sidelined for weeks – and admitted he was pushing through the pain to force the transfer home.
The 28-year-old Brazilian midfielder, who completed his emotional return to Flamengo on January 30, 2026, after a turbulent spell in east London, opened up in interviews with Flamengo TV and Brazilian media. The key bombshell? That back issue – which saw him substituted after 63 minutes in the 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest on January 6 and miss subsequent games against QPR, Spurs, and others – wasn’t the full story fans thought.
The “Injury” That Sparked Cynicism
West Ham supporters weren’t buying it from day one. Paqueta’s sudden absence came amid swirling rumors of a Flamengo move, his long-standing desire to return to Brazil (amplified after being cleared of FA spot-fixing charges in July 2025), and reports he’d told boss Nuno Espírito Santo he wasn’t mentally right to play. Cynics labeled it a “convenient” ploy to down tools and engineer an exit – especially as the club battled relegation and needed every point.
Paqueta addressed the speculation head-on: He revealed he did suffer a genuine back spasm in the Forest defeat but tried to battle through it because he was desperate for the Flamengo switch to happen. Sources close to the player and reports from Hammers News confirm he informed the club he couldn’t continue playing while negotiations dragged on – a mix of physical discomfort and mental strain from the two-year betting probe fallout.
In essence: The injury was real, but the timing and persistence amplified his push for the exit. West Ham’s club statement hinted at frustration, noting they’d “done everything possible to persuade Lucas to stay” before reluctantly accepting his transfer request for “personal and family reasons.”
Why This Move Was Inevitable
Paqueta’s heart has always been red-and-black. He told Flamengo TV: “Maybe Flamengo didn’t need me, but I needed Flamengo.” The move fulfills a dream after years in Europe (Milan, Lyon, West Ham), where off-field scrutiny took its toll. Flamengo smashed the Brazilian transfer record to bring him back on a five-year deal, betting on his prime years to boost their title push and his Brazil World Cup hopes.
But his debut? A mixed bag – subbed on in the Supercopa do Brasil final loss to Corinthians, he missed a sitter from six yards and admitted: “I’m sad… I have to score that.” Still, the emotion was raw: tears at the airport welcome, promises to give everything for the “Nation.”
The Fallout for West Ham – and the Fans
This exit leaves a bitter taste. West Ham sold their £51m record signing for around €20m below his estimated value, weakening a squad already in survival mode. Jarrod Bowen wished him well, acknowledging the “hell” Paqueta endured, but many Hammers fans feel betrayed by the perceived lack of fight.
Paqueta’s truth? It validates some cynicism while humanizing a player under immense pressure. The back issue was legitimate – he just couldn’t (or wouldn’t) push through it for West Ham anymore.
Your Turn, Hammers & Mengão Fans – Spill It!
Was Paqueta’s “back injury” a genuine setback or the final nail in forcing his dream move? Do you blame him for prioritizing mental health and home, or feel he let the club down in a relegation fight? Hot take: Would he have stayed if the betting saga never happened?
Drop your thoughts below – love him or loathe him, this story’s far from over. Predict: Does Paqueta shine at Flamengo and earn a Brazil recall, or regret leaving the Prem?
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Come on you Irons – and welcome home, Paqueta? Let’s debate! 🔵🔴❤️🖤