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Lucas Paquetá’s Pointed Farewell Message to West Ham Sends a Clear Message
He leaves as a hero to some and an uncomfortable memory to others. In his goodbye, Lucas Paquetá delivered words that did not go unnoticed in London.
A Farewell That Marks an Era
Lucas Paquetá’s return to Flamengo is now official, and it is anything but ordinary. The Brazilian club completed the most expensive transfer in its history, paying €42 million to West Ham United and bringing an end to the midfielder’s European chapter. A departure that goes far beyond financial figures and leaves a deep emotional footprint at the London club.
Paquetá leaves having played a decisive role in one of West Ham’s greatest achievements: the 2022–23 Conference League title, sealed with his iconic assist to Jarrod Bowen in the final against Fiorentina. A moment etched into the club’s history—and one the player himself made sure to remember.
A Key Figure Shadowed by Controversy
The Brazilian was a cornerstone of that championship-winning side, but his time in England was later overshadowed by an investigation into alleged betting-related misconduct. Although he was cleared by an Independent Regulatory Commission, doubts and suspicion never fully disappeared around his name in European football.
That context, as his words suggest, played a decisive role in his decision. Paquetá made it clear that his departure was not driven by sporting reasons or the club’s situation, but by a personal burden that became impossible to carry.
The Message That Sparked Debate
In his farewell post on Instagram, Lucas Paquetá struck a direct, emotional, and at times uncomfortable tone. He thanked the club, staff, and supporters—but also included lines that resonated strongly in London.
“I always tried to be my best self, and we all know why that is no longer possible,” he wrote, before admitting he leaves with “scars” that pushed him toward returning home. Words many interpreted as a pointed reference to everything he endured during his time in England.
“I Didn’t Ask to Leave, I Asked to Go Home”
One of the most powerful passages came when Paquetá revealed he had rejected offers from rival European clubs. “I didn’t ask to leave. I asked to go home,” he explained, stressing that his decision was rooted in his mental health, his family, and the need to rediscover peace and joy in football.
The midfielder was unequivocal: he no longer wanted to “fight battles that are not mine.” A sentence that captures the emotional toll of recent years and explains why returning to Brazil felt like the only possible path forward.
A Divided Legacy, But an Unforgettable One
Aware that not everyone will remember him fondly, Paquetá closed his message by appealing to shared memories. He reminded fans of that assist to Bowen as proof that he always stayed close to his dream and assured that, despite leaving, he will continue to support the club.
Lucas Paquetá departs West Ham leaving behind a complex legacy: talent, silverware, controversy, and a farewell filled with raw honesty. In London, his name will forever be linked to a historic European night—and to a goodbye that left no one indifferent.
