In the last World Cup, Lucas Paquetá assisted Neymar’s goal in the quarter-finals against Croatia. The move, already in extra time, would certainly have been remembered with more enthusiasm by the fans if Brazil had not suffered a draw and, subsequently, been eliminated on penalties.
Despite his frustration, the midfielder left Qatar with a good impression. Under Tite’s command, he fulfilled his tactical role, helping in defense and creating plays. So, at 25 years old, it wasn’t difficult to imagine that he would have a new chance on football’s biggest stage. But it wasn’t easy.
Four years later, Lucas Paquetá recognizes that he “now sees much greater happiness and is more grateful” for wearing the yellow shirt again in a World Cup.
“Not that I wasn’t very happy before, but today, after having gone through so much, I see much greater happiness,” he said this Sunday (21), at The Ridge hotel, in Basking Ridge, where the Brazilian team is based, in New Jersey.
His gratitude is directly linked to his fear of never being called up to represent Brazil again. In the run-up to the World Cup in North America, his continuity in the team was threatened by investigations into suspected participation in a scheme to manipulate matches in the English Championship to favor bettors.
In July last year, when he was declared innocent, he not only took that weight off his shoulders, but also saw the opportunity again to take a path to the World Cup.
“I’ve learned a lot in these four years, particularly because of everything I’ve experienced. I’ve learned to give a little more value to the things I achieve”, acknowledged the Flamengo player.
Paquetá spent almost ten months away from the national team until he was called up for the first time by Carlo Ancelotti for the matches against Chile and Bolivia, in September 2025, when Brazil ended its participation in the Qualifiers.
In addition to the distance from the team, the player went through a difficult period for almost two years, during which time the investigation carried out by the FA (Football Association, the English football federation) lasted.
“I thank God for everything he has done in my life, for giving me the opportunity to be here again,” he said, with a look of relief.
The Brazilian team’s performance against Haiti also brought him relief. The 3-0 victory in the second round match put Brazil at the top of Group C. The midfielder highlighted the changes made by Carlo Ancelotti after the debut with a 1-1 draw against Morocco.
“For this second game, we were a little more defined, playing with three in the middle, unlike the other game, in which I started on the outside and floated inside with a little more freedom. I think this tactical change ends up better defining the way we will understand each other on the field”, he explained.
Paquetá also stated that the group’s main objective for the game against Scotland, on Wednesday (24), is to guarantee first place in the group. If they manage to finish the first phase first, Brazil would have easier logistics, without the need to leave the United States to play the first knockout stage in Mexico.
“Our objective is to come first. We are working and seeking this. It is a logistics that favors us when traveling, resting and recovering time, so it is an objective of ours that we are trying to achieve”, he stated.
