Brazil legend Romario bristled at the suggestions that Lucas Paqueta’s likely switch from West Ham United to Flamengo mirrors his Barcelona departure during the winter of 1995.
Yes, Romario was the same age then [28 years old] as Lucas Paqueta is now.
Yes, Romario would leave European football and return to his native Brazil while still at the peak of his footballing powers.
Paqueta felt a burning desire to re-join Flamengo last summer, indicating that a certain two-year spot-fixing investigation had taken its toll on his mental health and his relationship with the English game. Romario’s contentious departure from Barcelona to Flamengo, 31 years ago this month, was also partially driven by homesickness, as well as a high-profile falling out with the legendary Johan Cruyff.
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The 1994 FIFA World Player of the Year, though, believes it would be ‘absurd’ to drill down any further into the similarities between his situation at the Camp Nou and Paqueta’s at West Ham United.
Then again, if prominent Hammers insider ExWHUemployee is right when he claims that Paqueta and the club are at odds regarding his fitness and last week’s FA Cup omission against QPR, divisions behind the scenes would only add to the theory that Romario’s Flamengo return is being played out again.
A modern-day sequel, if you will.
Brazil legend Romario discusses Lucas Paqueta’s likely West Ham United exit
Sean Whetstone, who is a close ally of chairman David Sullivan, reports that discussions between West Ham and Flamengo continued on Friday. Paqueta is reported to have agreed personal terms with the newly-crowned Copa Libertadores champions.
Now, anyone even slightly au fait with Romario’s reputation as one of the most egocentric footballers ever to play the game will not be surprised to hear he has his own media channel.
One titled ‘Romario TV‘, of course.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
On it, the 1994 World Cup winner discussed the undoubted but perhaps overblown comparisons between his situation and Paqueta’s three decades later. He also talks up a Brazilian homecoming for a Rio-born star who threatens to take the Brazilian and continental champions to another level altogether.
Following up a double-winning season with a club-record transfer for a Brazilian A-lister? Talk about building from a position of strength.
“There is nothing similar in relation to [Paqueta’s] situation and mine in 1995,” Romario argued in typically uncompromising fashion.
“We have to stop comparing some things that are kind of absurd. This is one of them.
“[But Paqueta] is going to be another player signed to Flamengo. And if Flamengo is interested, it’s because he’s going to help. He’s another player who made a beautiful history and is going back to his former club. I hope he can be happy.”
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Paqueta has turned down Tottenham Hotspur for Flamengo
Paqueta started his career at Flamengo before moving to Europe with AC Milan a decade ago.
Nuno hopes that Paqueta can sign off in style against arch rivals Tottenham this weekend, though he and his camp may have other plans. An injury in a London derby could wreck Paqueta’s dream move, while also scuppering West Ham’s hopes of bringing in a fee worth a minimum £40 million.
Interestingly, it is understood that Tottenham were keen to sign Paqueta themselves. His decision to snub Spurs in favour of an emotionally-driven Flamengo return, at least puts one potential flashpoint to bed ahead of Saturday’s 3pm kick-off in North London.
“I think his desire is clear. He wants to join Flamengo,” reporter Rodrigo Mattos told UOL Esporte this week.
“Not just because he doesn’t want to go to Tottenham, which is a big English club, but also because he sees the atmosphere surrounding him in England, ever since the betting investigations began.
“He suffered a lot of reputational damage within England specifically. So I think that factor also plays into his desire to leave.”
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