Ex-Flamengo star predicts Paquetá’s future after Brazil return

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Coluna do Fla

·17 February 2026

Ex-Flamengo star predicts Paquetá’s future after Brazil return

Lucas Paquetá scored his first goal since returning to Flamengo

The most expensive signing in the history of Brazilian football, Lucas Paquetá broke his duck with the Flamengo jersey last Sunday (15). On that occasion, the midfielder scored the first goal in the 2-1 victory over Botafogo, in the Carioca. Former Fla player, Luiz Antonio commented on the player's adaptation phase.

Paquetá is at the national team level, Premier League. When I played at Flamengo, he was younger, we would see each other in the youth teams, but he was much younger than me, and we could already see his quality. At the time, he was skinny, small, today he is bigger, stronger. His quality is incomparable, he is at a different level, so much so that he is a national team player, played at Lyon, Milan, was at West Ham, has many years of experience. I think he will indeed adapt again, he will need rhythm, game time, Flamengo's team itself is increasingly gaining rhythm, and it will only gain rhythm by playing. With the squad that (Flamengo) has, making changes and substitutions, I think he will adapt again. Brazilian football and the fans, this needs time, and normally in Brazil, it is not given. It's about adapting, everything is different, the rhythm is different, the Brazilian calendar doesn't help much, there he was in the middle of the season and here at the beginning. Even though he is physically well, the championship is completely different. He is thinking about going to the World Cup, I think he has great chances, as he plays more, he will adapt. In that position, there are several very good players, I believe that now, perhaps, he cannot show his superiority in Brazilian football due to adaptation. It takes time and I believe that gradually he will be able to adapt quickly,” said Luiz Antonio, in an interview with ‘ESPN’.

How was Lucas Paquetá's first goal?

Last Sunday (15), Flamengo and Botafogo played the quarter-finals of the Carioca. Thus, at 19 minutes of the first half, Bruno Henrique received a pass on the left side of Flamengo's attack.

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Subsequently, Flamengo's number 27 found Lucas Paquetá, who was free at the edge of the area. Thus, the number 20 shot with finesse into the left corner of goalkeeper Neto, scoring the first goal for Mengão in the classic.

Can Paquetá win his first title with Flamengo?

Lucas Paquetá has already played a final in this return to Flamengo. However, the Rubro-Negro ended up being defeated by Corinthians 2-0, in the Supercopa do Brasil. Now, the number 20 focuses his attention on the Recopa Sudamericana, aiming to win a title with the Sacred Mantle.

What is Flamengo's next match?

With Lucas Paquetá available, Flamengo begins the Recopa Sudamericana. This Thursday (19), Filipe Luís's team visits Lanús (ARG) at the Néstor Díaz Pérez stadium, at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), for the first leg of the intercontinental decision.

Thus, as tradition dictates, Coluna do Fla will bring all the details about the match between Flamengo and Lanús, through YouTube, the website, and social media. However, ESPN (cable channel) and Disney+ (streaming) will broadcast the Recopa match.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.