In the realm of football, Brazil stands out as a cradle of exceptional talent which constantly produces players with extraordinary creativity, talent, and skill. Lucas Paquetá is an underrated name that shines amongst some of these extraordinary players. His artistic creativity and phenomenal control of the ball have made him one of the most feared attackers to go against. Today, we delve into the fascinating biography/life story of Brazilian maestro, Lucas Paquetá.
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Lucas Paquetá Childhood/Early Life
Lucas Tolentino Coelho de Lima was born on August 27, 1997, to mother Christiane Tolentino and father, Marcelo de Lima in a small island named Paqueta, in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is where he got his nickname “Paqueta” from. Lucas grew up alongside his cousins and elder brother, Matheus Paqueta sharing a common passion for football. Lucas was fortunate to have extremely supportive parents who never hesitated to encourage him to chase his dreams. He said it was his mother and grandmother who were the real driving forces behind his success in football.
“It was my Mum and my Granddad who used to take me all the way to the training sessions. We’d have to leave on the boat and then we’d have to take three buses to get to the training ground, return home at the end of the day and start all over the next day. That’s how things started out on the island.”
Lucas Paquetá Mother
A Young Lucas Paqueta and his mother, Christiane Tolentino
Lucas Paqueta’s mother, Christiane Tolentino was a hairdresser who encouraged the eager youngster and his brother Matheus to seek a career in the beautiful game. She was extremely supportive of her children’s passions while not compromising their education.
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Lucas Paquetá Father
Marcelo de Lima is the name of Lucas Paqueta’s father. During his children’s formative years, Marcelo served in the Brazilian military, leaving little Lucas and Matheus primarily under the care of their mother and grandfather. Detailed information regarding Paqueta’s father is yet to be reported at the time of writing.
Lucas Paquetá Brother
Lucas Paqueta has an elder brother named Matheus Paqueta who used to play in Brazil’s second tier of football for Tombense. The brothers grew up together playing football barefoot on the beach or in the narrow, unpaved streets near their family home. Both the siblings were always destined to become footballers as they used to challenge each other, improving every day. Matheus Paqueta just recently retired from football in 2024 after multiple spells at different clubs in Brazil’s second and third divisions.
Lucas Paquetá Grandparents
Lucas Paqueta’s grandfather, Mirao was an extremely important figure in the footballer’s life as it was he and Lucas’s mother who took care of little Lucas during his formative years. Paqueta’s grandfather showed a keen interest in helping Lucas achieve his dreams and follow his passion for football. Paqueta revealed his grandfather’s supportive role in his life when he said,
“It was hard to get a place to play out on the pitch but, I always had my Granddad who was well-known on the island and who took care of me. He’d always manage to get me to go out and play on the grass pitch from time to time.”
Lucas Paqueta sadly revealed the passing of his grandparents, Mirao and Marlene in an interview. He said,
“Our grandparents Mirao and Marlene were also very important in our lives. Unfortunately, my two grandparents have since passed away, but I think together we were always a very, very tight unit as a family and always fought really hard.”
Lucas Paquetá Career
Lucas Paqueta began his professional football career for the U20 side of Flamengo. During his tenure at the Brazilian club, he learned all the intricacies and laid a solid foundation for his career that was destined to prosper.
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Lucas Paqueta when he first signed for Flamengo’s U20 team
Flamengo’s former under-20s and senior team coach, Ricardo revealed how Lucas almost quit football but was pushed forward by his coaches. He said,
“At 15, Lucas Paqueta was short, skinny, with this mop of hair; on one occasion he cried because he couldn’t perform, couldn’t compete. There were two or three moments when we really had to be strong and hold onto him so he didn’t leave.”
After Lucas was promoted to Flamengo’s first team in 2016, his career began to skyrocket. He was the sole source of creativity for the Brazilian side and consistently performed exceptionally on the pitch and won a couple of silverware as well.
Lucas Paqueta celebrates after winning a trophy for Flamengo
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After an impressive spell for Flamengo, Lucas Paqueta moved to Italian giants, AC Milan for a massive transfer fee of €38.40m. Although the Brazilian was not able to live up to the expectations as he scored just 1 goal and provided 3 assists in 44 appearances, he never gave up and continued his career with determination and resilience.
Lucas Paqueta on his signing day for AC Milan
Just one year later, Paqueta decided that his next career destination would be France’s Olympique Lyon where he aspired to rejuvenate his declining career. It’s safe to say he did exactly that as the Brazilian magician scored 21 goals and provided 13 assists in 80 appearances for the French side. Paqueta had multiple scouts and representatives from all kinds of clubs eager to get his signature.
Lucas Paqueta on his signing day for Olympique Lyon
Lucas Paqeuta chose England’s West Ham United in 2022 which marked the turning point in his career. As of today, Lucas Paqueta is West Ham’s most expensive signing of all time with a price tag worth £51 million. With the huge price tag came huge expectations and Paqueta did not fail to meet them. As of today, he has become a key figure for West Ham and constantly stands out with exceptional performances. Paqueta was one the most important players on the pitch in West Ham’s UEFA Europa Conference League triumph in 2023.
Lucas Paqueta celebrates after winning the UEFA Europa Conference League 2023
Lucas Paquetá Personal Life
Lucas Paqueta has a really enjoyable and relaxed lifestyle off the pitch. He loves spending time with his wife and children traveling to different places or just teaching them football. The Brazilian’s Instagram is full of pictures of his family and football posts that reflect his personality.
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Lucas Paquetá FIFA
Lucas Paqueta has an 81 overall rating on his base card of EA FC 24. The highest-rated item for the Brazilian in the game is 94 rated.
Who is Lucas Paquetá Wife?
Lucas Paqueta’s gorgeous wife, Maria Eduarda Fournier
Meet Lucas Paqueta’s gorgeous wife, Maria Eduarda Fournier. She is a stunning Instagram model who posts bikini selfies on her Instagram. She is also a YouTuber who hosts podcasts and has 20.8 thousand subscribers on her YouTube channel. She has also been featured on a Brazilian podcast with her husband Lucas.
Here’s the full podcast below:
The couple share admirable chemistry with each other and seem like a match made in heaven. Here’s a video of the duo nailing a dance together:
Lucas Paquetá Children
Lucas Paqueta and his two children, Benicio and Filipo Paqueta
Lucas Paqueta and his wife are the parents of two adorable children named Benicio and Filipo Paqueta. Paqueta loves spending time and playing football with his children and shares cute pictures on his Instagram. Here’s an adorable video of one of Lucas Paqueta’s sons scoring a goal in front of the West Ham fans.
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What is Lucas Paquetá’s Salary?
Lucas Paqueta currently earns a £150,000 base salary per week which adds up to £7,800,000 annually exclusive of bonuses. He has 3 more years left on his contract with West Ham United which is set to expire in 2027.
What is Lucas Paquetá’s Net Worth?
Lucas Paqueta’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million whereas his market value is €65.00m.
Lucas Paqueta Tattoos
Lucas Paqueta has a tattoo as a tribute to his late grandfather Mirao on his leg. The tattoo is a star encompassing an M which is the initial of his beloved grandfather.
He has a couple more tattoos on his arms and one on his neck which reads “God prepared everything”, through which he expresses his faith in Christianity.
