Paquetá emotional as Flamengo academy chant sparks nostalgia | OneFootball

Lucas Paquetá was visibly moved when Flamengo’s academy players interrupted an interview at Ninho do Urubu to chant his name.

"It brings a wave of nostalgia, memories of everything I went through and of the long process to become a professional. Being an example and an inspiration for them is hugely gratifying. They still have a long road ahead, but dreams are our fuel as they were for me, and I wish them all the luck in the world," he told the Libertadores channels.

Paquetá joined Flamengo at the age of 10 and is now 28. He debuted for the first team in 2016 at 18, moved to Milan in 2019, then had spells with Lyon and West Ham before returning home at the start of this year.

His journey offers a template for those youngsters, starting at his boyhood club, shining in Europe and playing at two World Cups before coming back to try to make history with Flamengo. Watching the children at the training ground, he said it felt like a film running through his mind.

Out since the end of June with a left thigh muscle injury sustained against Japan at the World Cup, he has recovered and should be in the squad for Flamengo’s next match.

Flamengo host Vitória at Maracanã on Sunday 09 in round 22 of the Brasileirão, with kick-off at 19:30 Brasília time.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”