Former West Ham ace Lucas Paqueta in Flamengo fallout as fans slam ‘unacceptable’ displays

In the wake of the defeat, speaking to Diario AS, Baptista passionately outlined his ambition to transform Flamengo into “the Real Madrid of America.” In that vision, Lucas Paquetá was meant to be the club’s marquee “Galactico” signing.

However, those bold statements have not sat well with supporters—especially amid a run of five defeats in eleven matches. Tensions escalated further after a painful cup final loss signaled the end of Filipe Luís’ tenure as head coach and deepened an already disappointing start to their title defenses.

Lanús add insult to injury

The reigning Brazilian champions suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Argentine side Lanús in the final of the Recopa Sudamericana. Paquetá did not even start the decisive second leg and has struggled for impact since returning to Brazil, collecting nearly as many yellow cards (two) as goals (three).
Frustration among fans quickly turned toward the club’s transfer strategy. Critics argue that the board is prioritizing high-profile, high-salary signings over cohesion and performance. Baptista’s public admiration for Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid only fueled concerns that Flamengo is losing its identity in pursuit of European-style glamour.

In a strongly worded statement, Torcida Jovem do Flamengo voiced deep dissatisfaction with the club’s current direction. The supporters’ group lamented that after a remarkable 2025 campaign, 2026 has fallen far below expectations—despite the record fee spent on Paquetá. They stressed that while fans stand behind the team, they also demand commitment and results.

The statement criticized players perceived as lacking dedication, arguing that professionals earning in a single month what many supporters may never earn in a lifetime should at least show awareness of the club’s reality.

Fans insisted that while wins and losses are part of football, what they will not accept is a team of well-paid stars failing to fight for the badge.

They also took aim at the leadership’s apparent push to reshape Flamengo into a European-style powerhouse. According to the group, the club’s essence must remain intact, with supporters—whether organized or not—respected as the true heart of Flamengo. They warned directors, including José Boto, that if their ambitions lie solely in Europe, they are free to leave Rio.

Meanwhile, Lanús seized the moment to mock their defeated opponents on social media. In a cheeky post after lifting the Recopa trophy, they quipped that while Flamengo may boast a €47 million player in Paquetá, Lanús can embrace the trophy “47 million times.”

As former coach Filipe Luís admitted before his dismissal, Paquetá appears to be “suffering more than expected” in the red-and-black shirt.

If the midfielder hoped that a return to his boyhood club would provide a fresh start after turbulence at West Ham United, the early signs suggest the reunion has not unfolded according to plan.