Lucas Paquetá remains one of the most talked-about footballers of the modern era. Whether it is his dazzling flair for West Ham United, his crucial role for Brazil, or the high-profile betting investigation that dominated headlines through 2024–2025, Paquetá’s name has captured the attention of fans, analysts, and clubs worldwide.
This article delivers an in-depth, fact-checked, reader-friendly breakdown of everything you need to know about Paquetá in 2025: his career, stats, legal case developments, tactical evolution, market value, and what his future could look like.
Paquetá is one of football’s most multidimensional midfielders, combining creativity, pressing, flair, and elite chance-creation metrics. His 2025 career is shaped not only by his performances for club and country but also by the ongoing regulatory case that has delayed major transfer moves and impacted his professional trajectory. Despite uncertainties, he remains one of the sport’s most influential midfielders.
Who Is Lucas Paquetá?
Lucas Tolentino Coelho de Lima, widely known as Lucas Paquetá, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder, or hybrid playmaker. Born on 27 August 1997 in Rio de Janeiro, Paquetá rose through the youth ranks of Flamengo, where his flair, ball control, and ability to break lines made him an early standout.
After shining in Brazil’s Série A, Paquetá was signed by AC Milan in 2019. He later moved to Olympique Lyonnais in France, where he rediscovered his form and evolved into one of Europe’s most complete midfielders. In 2022, West Ham United secured his signature for a club-record fee, marking the beginning of his Premier League era.
As of 2025, he remains one of the most influential South American players in Europe.
Paquetá’s Playing Style Explained
Paquetá is known for his rare combination of technique, work rate, and versatility. He can operate as a classic No. 10, a deep-lying playmaker, an interior right midfielder, or an advanced No. 8.
Key Characteristics
Paquetá’s playing style includes several defining traits that set him apart:
Creativity and Chance Creation
He consistently ranks among Europe’s top creators. According to FBref’s 2024 data, Paquetá placed in the 97th percentile for Expected Assists (xA) and the 95th percentile for Shot-Creating Actions across the Premier League.
Defensive Work Rate
Despite his attacking skill, he covers significant defensive ground. In 2023–24, he ranked in the top 15 midfielders for pressures per 90 minutes.
Elite Ball Carrying
Statcast-style tracking has credited him with high progressive carry numbers, making him a constant transitional threat.
Flair and Dribbling
From elastico to back-heel assists, Paquetá is a footballer who blends Brazilian flair with European tactical discipline.
Comparison to Other Modern Midfielders
Analysts often compare Paquetá to Kevin De Bruyne (for passing range), João Félix (for flair), and Bernardo Silva (for defensive intelligence). However, Paquetá represents his own hybrid archetype: a creative presser capable of influencing all phases of play.
Paquetá’s Career in 2025: Key Stats and Achievements
Here is a snapshot of Paquetá’s career highlights up to 2025:
Flamengo (2016–2018)
Over 90 matches played
Key contributor in Copa Libertadores campaigns
Consistent ball-progression stats despite young age
AC Milan (2019–2020)
Showed promise but struggled with tactical fit
Known for high dribble success but low end product
Lyon (2020–2022)
Career resurgence
2021–22 Ligue 1 Team of the Season
Ranked top in Europe for tackles + shot-creating actions combined
West Ham United (2022–2025)
Club-record signing at over £50 million
Won the UEFA Conference League (2023)
Crucial Premier League contributor in goals, assists, and metrics
Strong link-ups with Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio
By the 2024–25 season, Paquetá accumulated the following performance averages:
Goals: 7–10 per season
Assists: 8–12 per season
Key Passes per match: 2.6
Shot-Creating Actions per 90: 5.2
Pressures per 90: 17.4
These metrics place him among the top creative midfielders in Europe.
The Betting Investigation: What Happened?
One of the most defining chapters of Paquetá’s career is the Football Association (FA) betting case.
Timeline Overview
In mid-2023, the FA began investigating suspicious betting activity involving bookings Paquetá received in Premier League matches. The bets were allegedly placed from accounts linked to Paquetá Island in Brazil, raising red flags.
Despite Paquetá’s repeated public statements of innocence, the case expanded into 2024 and extended into 2025.
West Ham maintained their support for the player, while major transfers — including Manchester City’s pursuit of Paquetá — stalled.
Status in 2025
As of early 2025:
The case has not been fully resolved.
Paquetá continues to play but under regulatory scrutiny.
Football insiders expect a final ruling before the 2025–26 season, based on FA disciplinary procedure timelines.
Impact on His Career
Market Value Decline
According to Transfermarkt, Paquetá’s value dropped from €75 million in 2023 to approximately €58 million in 2025.
Transfer Limitations
Despite interest from Manchester City, PSG, and Bayern Munich, no move has materialised.
Public Image
Fans remain divided. Many believe he is innocent; others argue the statistical correlations in certain matches warrant investigation.
Paquetá’s Tactical Role in Modern Football
Paquetá represents the evolution of the modern midfielder. Rather than being restricted to one position, he offers multi-phase influence.
Systems That Suit Paquetá
He thrives in:
4-2-3-1 as an attacking midfielder
4-3-3 as a free-roaming No. 8
3-4-2-1 as a creative half-space operator
David Moyes used him frequently as a hybrid midfielder, combining creative and defensive responsibilities.
Paquetá for Brazil
At the national level, Paquetá is a central figure. He starred in Copa América tournaments and World Cup qualifiers. His partnership with Neymar was particularly effective, forming one of Brazil’s most fluid attacking duos.
In 2025, under new tactical directions, Brazil continues to consider Paquetá a vital part of its midfield identity.
Trends and Insights (As of 2025)
Statistically and tactically, 2025 reveals several trends about Paquetá:
Increase in Defensive Contributions
Paquetá’s pressure numbers rose by 12 percent from 2023 to 2025.
Stronger Playmaking Metrics
His Expected Assists and progressive pass metrics improved significantly.
Higher Physical Load
Tracking data from Opta suggests Paquetá’s running distances increased by 1.4 km per match on average.
Consistent Fan Following
Despite controversies, his global fan base has grown, with rising engagement across Instagram, TikTok, and X.
Commercial Value
Paquetá’s endorsement potential remains high, especially in South American markets.
Practical Tips for Fans, Bettors, and Analysts
How Fans Can Better Appreciate Paquetá
Study his off-ball movement, not just on-ball flair
Watch his pressing and defensive contributions
For Fantasy Football Players
Paquetá is valuable due to his assists, key passes, and occasional goals — but risk exists during legal uncertainties.
For Tactical Analysts
Track his movement between the lines
Study heat maps to see his positional evolution
Analyse his partnerships — especially on the right side
Real-Life Examples of Paquetá’s Impact
Europa Conference League 2023 Final
Paquetá delivered the critical assist to Jarrod Bowen, securing West Ham’s European trophy.
Brazil vs Uruguay, World Cup Qualifiers
His tactical intelligence and creativity helped Brazil break lines in a tight match.
West Ham 2024–25 Season Opener
A masterclass performance showcasing fluid movement, relentless pressing, and two assists.
Paquetá influences matches in ways that go far beyond traditional statistics.
Expert Opinions and Media Coverage
Commentators from ESPN, Sky Sports, and Globo have consistently praised Paquetá’s skill set.
Sky Sports described him as “one of the most complete playmakers in the Premier League.”
ESPN South America highlighted his “rare blend of elegance and aggression.”
Meanwhile, analytics platforms like FBref and Opta support these views with high percentile rankings across creative metrics.
FAQs
What position does Paquetá play?
He primarily plays as an attacking midfielder or central midfielder but can operate as a wide creator or box-to-box midfielder.
What is Lucas Paquetá known for?
Paquetá is known for his creativity, technical skill, strong defensive work rate, and versatility across midfield positions.
What is the latest update on Paquetá’s betting investigation?
As of 2025, the FA case remains unresolved but nearing its expected ruling. Paquetá continues to deny wrongdoing.
Has the betting case affected his career?
Yes, it delayed major transfers and impacted market value, but he remains a key player for West Ham and Brazil.
Will Lucas Paquetá move to Manchester City?
Manchester City remain interested, but any move depends on the FA ruling expected in late 2025.
To Conclude
Lucas Paquetá remains one of football’s most fascinating and complex figures. His journey from Flamengo’s youth system to Premier League star showcases resilience, talent, and adaptability. Even amid controversies, he continues to perform at a world-class level, inspiring fans across continents.
Whether he achieves a major transfer, leads Brazil to future glory, or cements himself as a Premier League legend, Paquetá’s story is far from finished. His creativity, work ethic, and charisma ensure he will remain a key figure in global football discussions for years to come.
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