Rafinha backs Lucas Paquetá return to Flamengo and predicts leading role | OneFootball

Rafinha backs Lucas Paquetá return to Flamengo and predicts leading role | OneFootball

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·27 January 2026

Rafinha backs Lucas Paquetá return to Flamengo and predicts leading role

Article image:Rafinha backs Lucas Paquetá return to Flamengo and predicts leading role

Flamengo have convinced West Ham to sell Lucas Paquetá, with only a few details to finalise, and Rafinha has backed him to be a leading figure on his return to Brazil.

Reflecting on the move, Rafinha highlighted the level of Brazilian football and of Flamengo. He said many players go to England and Paquetá is coming back because he enjoys the challenge, speaking on Seleção SporTV.


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He said the midfielder will return to Brazil to play alongside top team-mates, picturing him with Arrascaeta in midfield. In his view, Paquetá has everything to become the leading name in Brazilian football.

Flamengo have agreed the exact price with West Ham. The fee is 41.25 million euros, R$ 256 million at the current rate, for a player developed at the club.

Most of the R$ 256 million will be paid up front, with the remainder in instalments, on a schedule the clubs still need to define. Flamengo visit São Paulo on Wednesday 28 at 21:30 Brasília time at MorumBIS, in the first round of the Campeonato Brasileiro.

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