With 10 goals scored in the 2026 season, Lucas Paquetá, Flamengo’s midfielder, has set a new goal: to double that tally and reach 20 before the end of the year.
The 2026 season has been a season of affirmation for Lucas Paquetá at Flamengo. The midfielder found the net in a 2-0 victory over Mirassol in a rescheduled Brazilian Serie A match, reaching 10 goals since his return to the club. This personal achievement, accomplished with three months remaining in the year, not only symbolizes the fulfillment of an internal goal but also a physical comeback after a delicate injury.
Considered the most expensive signing in Brazilian football history, Paquetá demonstrates the value of the investment on the field, leading the team with his performance. Beyond the importance of the goal, the match against Mirassol marked the first time the athlete completed 90 minutes since the muscle injury he sustained at the World Cup against Japan, highlighting his full recovery and ascending match fitness.
The Quest for a New Personal Record
After celebrating his tenth goal, Lucas Paquetá revealed his ambition to go further. Internally, the initial target of ten goals has already been surpassed. Now, with the season’s final stretch approaching, the midfielder plans to double that number.
“I’m very happy. When I arrived, my goal was to score at least 10 goals. Of course, playing in a deeper role makes it harder to score so many goals, but I’ve already reached ten. Now the aim is 20, and I dream of more goals to help Flamengo win,” he stated.
Versatility Recognized by the Coaching Staff
His 10 goals put him just two shy of equaling his best scoring season for Flamengo, when he scored 12 in 2018. This is also his third most productive season in his career, matching the ten goals scored for Lyon in 2020/21 and approaching his record of 11 goals for the French club in 2021/22. His ability to find the back of the net, combined with his versatility on the field, has been a key differentiator.
Head coach Leonardo Jardim made a point of praising the player’s adaptability, emphasizing his ability to play in multiple positions.
“I always make myself available. Of course, we have playing preferences, but today he joked with me: ‘You’re a R$ 42 million player because you play in more than two positions; if you only played in one, you’d be R$ 20 million.’ So I think that’s a quality and characteristic of mine. I’m happy to play wherever to help and contribute to Flamengo,” he added.
Paquetá’sgoals were distributed across various competitions, including the Campeonato Carioca, Brazilian Serie A, and Conmebol Libertadores, demonstrating his offensive influence in different scenarios. The midfielder’s return to ideal match fitness and his on-field production are crucial for Flamengo’s ambitions.
Lucas Paquetá’s performance in this return to Flamengo is one of the team’s highlights this current season. With his physical recovery on track and his aim calibrated, the player becomes a fundamental piece in the Rubro-Negro club’s fight for titles. The projection of reaching 20 goals not only solidifies his status as one of the country’s top athletes but also boosts Flamengo’s hopes in the final stretch of the Brazilian Serie A and other competitions, where his decision-making power will be increasingly vital.
Equipe M360
