Carlo Ancelotti explains Lucas Paqueta snub as former West Ham ace faces World Cup heartbreak
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If former West Ham United playmaker Lucas Paqueta thought his 2026 could not get any worse, well Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti had some very bad news for Flamengo’s record signing.
Lucas Paqueta has been left out of the Selecao squad for the friendly, spring-time double-header against France and Croatia.
Now, Carlo Ancelotti is on record as being a huge fan of a midfielder who returned to Rio from West Ham United during the January transfer window, sealing a dream second spell at boyhood club Flamengo.
How will you remember Lucas Paqueta? 🤔
Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej/MB Media
However, with the World Cup only three months away, Paqueta could not have picked a worse time to slip down the pecking order.
Carlo Ancelotti drops ex-West Ham United ace Lucas Paqueta
In quotes reported by E Blog Esmael, ex-AC Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid coach Ancelotti insists that Paqueta has not left his plans.
However, as Paqueta endures ‘one of the worst starts’ of any Flamengo signing of the last half-decade – to quote Brazilian publication Terra – the direction of travel is clearly not moving in his favour.
“We have doubts regarding the defenders and midfielders,” Ancelotti said at a press conference when announcing his squad. “We have to be focused on evaluating all the players. Those who aren’t here today could be in the final squad, without a doubt.
Photo by Andre Ricardo/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images
“Today, for example, Paqueta isn’t here, but he could very well be in the final squad and have another opportunity. I wanted to have the chance to see two new midfielders who are playing very well at Botafogo [Danilo] and Galatasaray [Gabriel Sara].”
Former Norwich City schemer Sara has emerged as a direct competitor for Paqueta in the attacking midfield berth. Matheus Cunha has been in exceptional form at Manchester United since the turn of the year, while Chelsea’s Andrey Santos is also someone admired by Ancelotti.
“Now, I have doubts about his inclusion in the [World Cup] squad. Gabriel Sara is very similar to Paqueta,” pundit Danilo Lavieri tells UOL Esporte. “I think he’s a significant competitor for Paqueta.
“[Lucas] probably hasn’t been sleeping soundly since yesterday.”
Galatasaray’s Gabriel Sara may have ousted Paqueta
Paqueta’s absence is also despite the fact that Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes is unavailable due to injury.
“I preferred to call up those who are 100 per cent, taking into account also the position of some players I don’t know, like [Al-Ahli defender Roger] Ibanez, [Juventus powerhouse] Bremer, [Bournemouth winger] Rayan, Danilo, and Gabriel Sara.
“It’s a last opportunity to get to know them and make a final list with the clearest possible idea.
Serious question – are you taking a peak Mateus Fernandes or a peak Lucas Paqueta in your dream midfield?!
Credit: Getty Images/Chris Brunskill/Fantasista
“When we call up new players, it’s not because we want to see how they perform on the field. We already know that. We want to know how they integrate into our environment, their character. That’s what we’re going to look at with all the new players.”
It has been a case of big expectations, small returns in Rio so far.
Argentine outfit Lanus even took to mocking Paqueta’s price-tag after they beat Flamengo in the Recopa Sudamerica final recently. To make matters worse, the coach who played a massive role in making Paqueta’s Flamengo homecoming happen – Filipe Luis – has now been replaced by Leonardo Jardim.
Jardim, who famously guided a Monaco side boasting Kylian Mbappe to the Ligue 1 title a decade ago, left Paqueta out of his starting XI on his managerial debut.
The record signing has only three goals and no assists from nine games, 66 per cent of those coming against local outfit Madureira in the Rio State Championship.
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