Lucas Paqueta declares ‘Bruno and I are like brothers’ | OneFootball

Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes will once again take to the pitch together on Sunday.

However, this time they will be on opposing sides, as West Ham host Newcastle.

Ahead of the match, Lucas Paqueta declaring; “Bruno and I are like brothers.”

The pair were born less than three months apart and played together in the younger age groups for Brazil, then progressing to do the same for the senior side.

This coming summer they will be hoping to be together on the same side as Brazil head to the 2026 World Cup finals.

A lot of people forget that the pair were also together at Lyon.

Bruno Guimaraes arriving there in January 2020 and then leaving for Newcastle United and the Premier League in January 2022.

Whilst Lucas Paqueta arrived at Lyon in summer 2020 and then left for West Ham and the Premier League in summer 2022.

They might be best friends but Bruno Guimaraes will be hoping to ensure Lucas Paqueta remain in deep relegation trouble after Sunday’s match, the Hammers currently second bottom with only four points after nine Premier League games.

Lucas Paqueta talking to official West Ham media ahead of Sunday’s match against Newcastle- 31 October 2025:

“Bruno and I are like brothers.

“He’s one of my best friends and we share a lot of our lives with each other.

“Our families are very close and our children are together whenever they can be.

“He is someone I admire a lot and he helped me a lot during my difficult period recently.

“Our friendship is really special, but on Sunday I will be focused on helping my team, because we need to get out of the situation we’re currently in by working hard, dedicating ourselves and getting the basics right.

“We need to stay positive and help each other on the pitch and in training, as we’re doing, because I’m sure that once the wins start coming, we’ll gain the confidence required to start climbing the table.

“I think it was one of the best starts to a season [in 2025-26, scoring four goals in the first five games for club and country] in my career, in terms of numbers.

“I’m trying to get back to that level of consistency in front of goal, but I know I help the team in other ways too, so I’m working hard to improve in all areas.

“I think it’s been very valuable for me [to have a Portuguese-speaking Head Coach like Nuno]. I can convey my views and feelings to him easily, and it’s been good working with him.

“We know the start of the season has been difficult but I’m confident things will improve.

“I know my role in that too, as one of the most experienced players alongside the likes of Jarrod [Bowen] and Tomáš [Souček]. I like to lead more through my actions, and by being willing to listen and help, and I’ll continue doing my best to help the team start turning things around.”