Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimarães, a lifelong Vasco fan, celebrated Lucas Paquetá’s return to Flamengo—despite their Rio rivalry—saying Paquetá should be happy after struggling in England. The friendship between the Rio-born midfielders now sits alongside B
Bruno Guimarães didn’t hide what he felt when he learned Lucas Paquetá had agreed to return to Flamengo.
In footage from the moment he was told the news. the Newcastle midfielder—who has long declared himself a Vasco supporter—spoke on TV Globo’s As Convocadas with a simple. personal message aimed straight at his friend. “Let him be happy there. He was not happy here in England anymore. He is my brother, I want him to be happy. Even if it is at Flamengo and I am Vasco, what can I do?”.
For all the noise that rivalry usually brings between Flamengo and Vasco. Guimarães framed the decision as something bigger than club colors. Paquetá and Guimarães are Rio-born and have been long-time friends, and the support doesn’t stop off the pitch. Even with both midfielders representing rival sides. their bond has remained part of how they carry themselves in Brazilian football circles.
That closeness matters now for another reason: both players are in Brazil’s 26-man squad for the World Cup.
Paquetá’s comeback to Flamengo had been something he talked about openly before it happened. Flamengo brought him back from West Ham for 42 million euros, about R$ 263 million at the time. Since returning. he has already described feeling the lift that comes with Flamengo’s crowd. and he has also received the reward of a Brazil call-up.
On the field, the impact is measurable. With Flamengo, Paquetá has lifted the Carioca title and made 25 appearances, scoring eight goals.
Guimarães’s comments land as Brazil move into the final stretch of preparation before their tournament starts. With Paquetá and Guimarães available, Brazil continue work on their World Cup opener, where they face Egypt on Saturday 06 at 19:00 Brasília time in a friendly in the United States.
The moment Guimarães chose to celebrate Paquetá’s return—Rio rivalry acknowledged, affection prioritized—now sits beside a bigger shared goal. When the friendly in the United States begins, the friendship will be there in the background, but the squad selection will be what everyone watches.
Bruno Guimarães Lucas Paquetá Flamengo Vasco Rio rivalry Brazil World Cup squad Egypt friendly Newcastle midfielder West Ham Carioca title
Rio rivalry? Whatever, friends first I guess.
So he’s a Vasco fan but he’s basically cheering Flamengo? Man these football people say one thing and do another. Also 42 million euros is insane.
I don’t get why they’re calling it “cheering him back” like it’s a family reunion. If Paquetá wasn’t happy in England why did he even go there… like did Newcastle even try? Either way Brazil needs him for the World Cup right?
The way they talk about it is cute but I’m stuck on the money part. 42 million euros for a player who already played 25 matches and scored 8 goals… that’s not even like crazy stats to me. And why is Egypt coming up, wasn’t the friendly supposed to be in Brazil or something? Idk I’m just confused.