Brazilian superstar pens emotional note as Brazil gets eliminated from the Copa America

West Ham signed Lucas Paqueta for £51M in a blockbuster move from Olympique Lyon in August 2022. That move paid off as the Brazilian scored five goals and provided seven assists in his debut season at the London Stadium.

The successive season, in 2023/24, Lucas scored a further eight goals and seven assists as West Ham reached the quarter-finals in the UEFA Europa League. Rumors were swirling that Manchester City looked interested in paying £80M for the former AC Milan star.

However, the end of May saw the situation change dramatically, as Paqueta got charged by the FA. That steered away the Cityzens from making a move for the playmaker, which would have generated a significant profit for the Hammers.

On the national side, Lucas got selected by Brazil for the Copa America 2024. However, one missed penalty out of two against Paraguay and a Quarter-final elimination on penalties against Uruguay ended Brazil's campaign in this edition of the Copa America.

Paqueta pens an emotional message

Now, the former Flamengo star has taken to social media to express his feelings,

""Another penalty shootout… I confess that sometimes I ask God why I go through moments like this! But then I remember that nothing in my life came easy, I’ve always had to fight hard to conquer what I conquered, nobody gave me anything, and it wouldn’t be any different now.""

- Lucas Paqueta

Concluding on a positive note, Lucas Paqueta added,

"“I have had to get up and fight others many times. And with the strength of God, my family and all of you who support, it was always possible! And so it will be again! Brazil will smile again and we athletes are part of it! We will fight and get the top again, TOGETHER!""

- Lucas Paqueta

Now looking forward, Paqueta will join Julen Lopetegui's Preseason camp, similar to Jarrod Bowen, in the United States during the Sunshine State Tour.