SUPPORT ACT HELPS PAQUETA TO BIG-STAGE RETURN WITH BRAZIL

WEST HAM’S players were on a coach bound for Merseyside and a meeting with Everton this month when confirmation came through of Lucas Paqueta’s recall to the Brazilian national side.

- Malik Ouzia

By then, it was something of a formality, Paqueta having met new head coach Dorival Junior in London the same week, but it did not stop his teammates delivering a celebratory reception on arrival at their overnight hotel.

Dropped by the Selecao last autumn, as news emerged of an FA investigation into potential betting breaches, the 26-year-old has not played for his country since June. But on Saturday night, against England at Wembley, West Ham’s ‘Brazilian magnifico’ will become Brazil’s once more.

At this stage, no one knows whether this will prove an innocent hero’s return or mere temporary relief. The FA’s investigation remains ongoing, with Paqueta cooperating fully and all parties in the dark as to when it will be concluded.

The probe relates to a series of yellow cards awarded to the playmaker in West Ham matches and the comparison has been made to a similar investigation into a booking received by then Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka in 2021, which lasted 17 months before finding no case to answer.

Rather, then, Paqueta’s recall feels a matter of natural course, one that has not, unlike his initial axing, been met with any great controversy in Brazil.