The Untold version of Lucas Paqueta’s story is about a boy from Paquetá Island (an Island after his name) who rose to become a football Idol in his nation, Brazil. This is the story of a Footballer who Flamengo refused to promote because of a bone retardation disease. Cristiane Tolentino, his Mum, fought tooth and nail for him. He didn’t just fight for her son’s right to get a promotion when he was denied by his childhood club.
Cristiane Tolentino decided to put her life on hold for Lucas as she abandoned her hair-dressing business to follow her son anywhere his young career took him. This article tells you the ways Lucas Paqueta rewarded his mother for all the fights she put up and the sacrifices she made for him.
Again, this article tells you about Lucas Paqueta’s unique way of being the best Dad for his son. After two unaccomplished trips to Disney without being able to find SpiderMan for his son, Lucas Paqueta decided to do the extraordinary. He left his football job for a day so he could become a Spiderman Daddy. And guess what?… it worked! Paqueta acted like a real Spiderman.
Lastly, this detailed article is also about the story of a talented attacking Midfielder who was once lost in Milan, reborn at Lyon – and later became a West Ham record signing. He is a player named after the great Paquetá Island of Brazil simply because destiny has predicted that he would be so special. We tell the story of a complete lover boy, the only footballer who shows his love in a unique way, as evidenced in our article.
Lucas Paqueta Untold: Fighting Bone Retardation Disease to FAME
Preamble:
Our version of Lucas Paqueta’s Bio begins with unveiling the notable events of his boyhood years. We’ll then proceed to detail his early footballing days in Brazil. Finally, we’ll explain the turning point that made him become one of Brazil’s best attacking midfielders.
We hope to whet your autobiography appetite as we engage you with reading Lucas Paqueta’s Biography. To begin doing that, let’s show you this gallery that tells his story – from his childhood days to fame. Do you see this Brazilian? He has indeed come a long way in his amazing life journey.
The Biography of Lucas Paqueta – From his boyhood years to the moment of grace.
Indeed, Paqueta is one of the foremost attacking midfielders in Brazil in terms of his on-field production. Paqueta’s greatest strength is his versatility, which he has used to set the world alight. No wonder the Rainbow Flick Master was a fantastic asset to Tite and David Moyes.
Despite the great things this “Soccer Warrior and Dancer” has done for the beautiful game, we notice a knowledge gap. The truth is, not many football fans have read an in-depth version of Lucas Paqueta’s Biography, which is very exciting. This is why we’ve made his story. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
Lucas Paqueta Childhood Story:
For starters, in his Biography reading, he bears the nickname ‘new Kaka.’ Again, the name ‘Paqueta’ is also a nickname. His Full Names are Lucas Tolentino Coelho de Lima.
Lucas Paqueta was born on the 27th day of August 1997 to his Mother, Cristiane Tolentino and Father, Marcelo de Lima. His birthplace is special, and that place is Paquetá Island, in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro. You might be wondering… is Lucas the son of a king in Paquetá Island?
The answer is No. Lucas’ nickname, Paquetá, came because of his admiration of Paquetá Island and the eponymous neighbourhood where his Dad and Mum raised him. Now, let’s introduce you to Cristiane Tolentino and Marcelo de Lima, who are Lucas Paqueta’s parents.
Meet (Marcelo and Cristiane), the people who brought the Brazilian attacking midfielder into the world. They are Lucas Paqueta’s Parents.
Growing-Up:
From the great mountains overlooking Rio de Janeiro, you can (on a bright day) see a small island that lies across the Guanabara Bay. It was there that a young Lucas Paquetá was born and also where he spent the best of his childhood years.
He is the little boy better known by the name of his birthplace – the glamorous Ilha de Paqueta.
Lucas Paqueta grew up to be a carefree kid who always wore a smile on his cute face. From the onset, Marcelo and Cristiane (his parents) guaranteed their lastborn some special form of treatment. Back in the day, little Paqueta never lacked toys, and his favourite was this aeroplane.
Toys like this sparked Paqueta’s imagination. Many years later, he began flying with the Brazilian national team.
Aside from having toy aeroplanes, Paqueta (as he grew older) became fond of flying kites. To this day, he holds a strong memory of flying kites in his Penha neighbourhood, the north of Rio de Janeiro.
Once upon a time, remembering and going back to try these children’s games resulted in huge consequences (breaking of his finger) later in his adult years. We’ll tell you more about that later in this Bio.
The Brazilian Athlete is not the only child of his parents – Marcelo and Cristiane. He spent his childhood years alongside an older sibling named Matheus. Pictured below is Matheus, Lucas Paqueta’s brother. He (also a footballer) is two years older than his little brother.
This is Matheus Paquetá. He is Lucas’s older brother and the superstar of the Brazilian national team.
For Lucas Paqueta, it is always a blessing to have a big brother like Matheus. Back in the day, these two siblings sometimes end up quarrelling over silly things.
Thankfully, they always retain their best friends’ status quickly. Matheus, born on the 12 of March 1995, plays football with Tombense, a Brazilian team (at the time of writing).
Lucas Paqueta’s Early Life:
The journey to becoming the person we know him to be today began with the works of his grandfather, Mirao. Paqueta’s granddad (when he was a little boy) would take him and his older brother (Matheus) on a ferry. They would cross the water between their home and Rio de Janeiro.
Reaching their destination, Lucas and Matheus would go play football. Paqueta enjoyed uninterrupted football for hours both in the streets and around the beach. Back then, he was very skinny but had a technique which wasn’t good enough. Being too skinny almost ruined the Brazilian’s early career.
Because he was too skinny, he found it hard to win in the body of his opponents.
Lucas Paqueta Family Background:
When his dreams came true, the Brazilian footballer instantly gave back to his parents. One of the beneficiaries we know of is Lucas Paqueta’s mother (Cristiane).
She is a hairdresser, a woman who reportedly gave up her hairdressing profession for her son’s sake. For this reason and others, Lucas once cried when his Mum recalled those difficult family moments.
Lucas Paqueta hails from a below-average family, and he wasn’t the kid who enjoyed the luxuries of childhood. In Brazil, it is very common for most top footballers to come from the most humble of places. Paqueta’s early life was a mixture of family togetherness, early struggles and great overcoming.
Meet Lucas Paqueta’s family members – the persons who were with him from the tough beginnings.
Before making his journey to Europe, his dreams of becoming rich had already come true. Immediately, the revelation of Flamengo (Paqueta) decided to repay his mother. Paqueta acquired a beauty salon for his beloved Mum as a way of appreciating the role she played in his life.
For being one of the fundamental pillars of his career, Lucas Paqueta acquired this place for his Mum, which now has her hairdressing business.
Studio Leblon, the beauty salon in Avenida General San Martin, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is to this day operated by Lucas Paqueta’s mother. Thanks to her son, Cristiane was able to bring back the business she had once abandoned for years.
Lucas Paqueta Family Origin:
The midfielder with Brazilian nationality has more to his ancestral background besides South America. Our research shows that Lucas Paqueta has Portuguese family origins through his mother, Cristiane Tolentino.
Because of his Mum’s Portuguese descent, the Brazilian attacking midfielder is, to date, eligible for registration as a European player.
As far as his Brazilian origin is concerned, Lucas Paqueta’s family is from Paquetá Island in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro. In this small country Island, where everyone practically everyone knows who is who.
Do you know?… this tiny island of Paqueta is 1.2 km² long, it has zero cars, contains around four thousand inhabitants and has a single soccer field.
Lucas Paqueta poses on the island his family comes from, a place that earned him his nickname in football.
Lucas Paqueta Ethnictiy:
The Island he comes from is the original home to the indigenous Tupi people of Brazil. Researchers believe they were the first people to settle in the Amazon rainforest about 2,900 years ago. Lucas Paqueta is a Portuguese Brazilian, as his ancestry originates partly in Portugal.
Lucas Paqueta Education:
For the Brazilian, the best memory of attending school came not from reading his books. But from the football activities that happen on his school’s playing ground. From a soccer perspective, Lucas Paqueta attended Flamengo’s Gavea soccer school.
Back in the years, Little Lucas loved playing football at his school, even on weekends. What made his childhood soccer life more interesting was that his grandfather, Mirão, was a Municipal soccer coach.
Career Buildup:
Gávea, an affluent residential neighbourhood in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro, was where the youngster honed his skills. It was Lucas Paqueta’s grandfather that took him to Rio de Janeiro’s Gávea neighbourhood, where he enrolled for futsal.
Back then, Seu Altamiro, AKA “Mirão”, would ensure that Lucas and his brother, Matheus take the first speedboat at 5:30 am. And they would return back to their family home with the last ferry.
Paquetá and Matheus never forget the role their grandfather played in their early careers. This is the reason why Paqueta has this tattoo (with the letter M) in honour of Mirão, which is the nickname of his granddad.
Meet Seu Altamiro, AKA “Mirão”. He is Paqueta’s grandfather, the man he honoured with a tattoo of shaping his early career.
Lucas Paqueta Biography – Football Story:
At the age of 10, the Brazilian midfielder, together with his brother Matheus, were already top performers in futsal with Flamengo. Matheus trained at Ninho, another of Flamengo’s soccer facilities.
On the day Paqueta wasn’t going to Gavea (where his Granddad took him to play futsal), he would have uninterrupted hours with every activity on the streets.
An undoubtedly evidence of Lucas Paqueta’s humble beginnin
At the time he joined Flamengo, nobody knew there was an issue with Paqueta’s height and body. Later on, a problem arose – when it was time for his body to develop with an increase in his age.
Lucas Paquetá had his future in Flamengo threatened when it was time to move to the higher category of their youth. First, it was reported that he was too skinny and short (a height of just 1.53 meters) to progress.
Nobody could doubt the fact that Paquetá didn’t have the technique in his early teenage years. The only issue with his inability to win the body of opponents simply because he was too skinny and short.
After assessing the situation, experts found that Lucas Paqueta’s physicality issue was a result of a bone retardation disease. Because he didn’t mature for his new age group, the club (Flamengo) decided not to promote him; rather, making him repeat his age category.
That decision made matters very complicated for the boy. Paqueta didn’t take it very well as he cried most times and became irritable. It was at this time that his Mum’s presence became essential. Cristiane Tolentino decided to abandon everything to go fight for her son.
The motherly impact:
Upon visiting the Flamengo, a very angry Cristiane Tolentino demanded answers for her son’s demotion. Lucas Paqueta’s mother went straight to Flamengo’s academy office to voice her frustrations.
Lucas Paqueta never forgets how his Mum came to his aid – to fight for him. Cristiane Tolentino is the true definition of a warrior mother.
To avoid making the issue get overheated, Flamengo agreed to go with Cristiane’s demands for her son. But on one condition – the club and she agreed to draw up a bespoke nutrition and fitness plan for her son. The main content of that plan includes the need for targeted nutrition.
At that time, Lucas Paqueta’s mum had agreed to abandon her hairdressing salon to follow her son everywhere soccer took him. Cristiane also ensured her son didn’t deviate from eating the right nutrient – needed for his growth and body development.
Thanks to targeted nutrition, power training and fitness work, Lucas gained about a foot in height in no time. A special nutrition did the magic, and a boost in physicality allowed the youngster to progress with his career. From that moment his mum intervened, Paqueta did not train again with the lower categories.
Lucas Paqueta Bio – The Journey to Fame:
Cristiane Tolentino didn’t stop the mission she had for her son even after he achieved the needed growth in height. Every training day, Lucas Paqueta’s Mum followed him and pushed him harder to overcome all barriers and limits.
Because Cristiane accompanied her son all the time, she understood every soccer objective her son needed to achieve. Thanks to her input, Paqueta began to run the show on the field. He helped Flamengo’s under-17s win the Copinha and a host of other academy titles.
By age 18, the teenager whose Mum supervised his nutrition had grown 27 cm (10.6 inches) taller. Such height came with an increase in his technical quality, and it saw the happy Lad concluding his youth career with more trophies.
Included among these trophies is the 2016 Copa São Paulo de Júniores title – which is the most important youth tournament in Brazil.
Early professional years:
When Flamengo’s first-team coach, Muricy Ramalho, asked the club’s academy chiefs if they had anyone for him, one teenager stood out. Lucas Paquetá got an express promotion into the club’s professional team right after he won the 2016 Copa São Paulo de Júniores competition.
Not long after making his Flamengo senior debut in the Rio state championship, Lucas Paquetá scored the first goal of his professional life. He helped the club win the Rio State League at 18, had a goal (at 19) in the Brazilian Cup final and then won the Bola de Prato award at 20.
Again, Lucas Paqueta became one of Flamengo’s most prolific passers. A player who became popular for being technically gifted and having a set of other rare football gifts. Not many soccer fans know this… Paquetá and Vinícius Júnior were the biggest Flamengo superstars in 2017.
In case you are wondering, Paqueta broke into the Flamengo first team shortly before Vinicius Junior did. Both superstars subsequently spent the 2017 season together, helping Flamengo win the Rio de Janeiro state championship.
Lucas Paqueta Bio – Rise to Fame Story:
Following the departure of Vinicius Junior to Real Madrid, the youngster began to feel his readiness for the physicality of European football. Because Lucas Paqueta was likened to Ricardo Kaka, AC Milan became more hungrier to quickly get him out of Brazil.
Throwing you back to memory lane, Milan once famously plucked a young Kaka from Brazil back in the year 2003. Immediately after that, the Italian club reaped the reward of the talented Attacking Midfielder who won the Champions League and 2007 Ballon d’Or.
Given the Italian club’s success in this area once before, they (AC Milan) decided to follow manage Paqueta in a similar way. On 4 January 2019, a €35M transfer of the attacking midfielder was made official.
While adapting to a new environment didn’t come easy, it never stopped Lucas Paqueta from showing his class. During his Serie A debut in 2019, the Brazilian performed his signature ‘rainbow flick’ over opponent Daniel Bessa.
Paqueta dedicated his first goal not to his parents but the victims of a fire incident at his old club Flamengo. The Flamengo fire incident of 2019 was catastrophic, resulting in the deaths of 10 academy youngsters between 14 and 17 years.
Post-Milan years:
Following the end of covid-19 lockdown in Italy (the most affected by the COVID virus in Europe), he (in September 2020) left Milan for Lyon (France). With the French Giants, Paqueta achieved a meteoric rise.
Ahead of the likes of Neymar, the midfielder was elected the best foreign player in Ligue 1. Lucas Paqueta outshined other to-rated foreigners in the League, including Jonathan David (CF), Sven Botman (CB) and Marquinhos.
National Team Rise:
The achievement of the attacking midfielder was quickly recognized by Brazil’s coach, Tite, who made him compete with Philippe Coutinho. Lucas Paquetá wore Brazil’s iconic No. 10 shirt when he delivered his first goal for the country.
In May 2019, he, alongside notables (Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino, etc.), won the 2019 Copa América for Brazil. The feeling of holding a first national team trophy was priceless for Paqueta. The same goes for other newly capped players like Alan, Richarlison (CF), David Neres (RW), Éder Militão, etc.
As of 2021, this was the attacking Midfielder’s biggest career win.
At the time of writing Lucas Paqueta’s Biography, he has begun a new career journey with West Ham United. He, alongside Gianluca Scamacca (Forward), Nayef Aguerd (CB), Thilo Kehrer (LB), Maxwel Cornet and Emerson, became David Moyes’ chosen stars to make West Ham bigger.
Thanks to his growing popularity in World football, Lucas Paquetá has emerged as a key figure for Tite’s Brazil side—a possible World Cup starter. The coach trusts his abilities and depends on him and others to help Brazil win their sixth FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The rest, as we say, is now history.
A strong relationship exists between these two Brazilian celebrities.
Maria Eduarda Fournier – Lucas Paqueta’s Wife:
Behind the success of this great Attacking Midfielder comes a glamorous woman. Maria Eduarda Fournier is her name, and she is Lucas Paqueta’s Wife. As we progress with this biography, you’ll get to know a lot about these Brazilian love birds.
The beautiful wife of Lucas Paqueta oozes confidence in every one of her snaps.
When did Lucas Paqueta meet his wife?
The Brazilian attacking midfielder began dating Maria Eduarda Fournier on the 17th day of February 2018. He was still a Flamengo player at that time. Also, at the time Lucas and Maria met, he had not been called to the Brazilian national team.
It might interest you to know that Lucas and Maria dated for less than ten months before getting married. In fact, the two love birds got married that same year they met (in 2018).
Maria Eduarda Fournier’s Parents:
Lucas Paqueta’s wife was born on the 15th day of February 1993 to her Mum, Denise Vieira, and Father, Henrique Fournier Junior.
By implication, she is four years and six months older than Lucas. Now, let’s introduce you to Maria Eduarda Fournier’s parents.
In the photo below, Maria Eduarda Fournier’s Mum, Denise Vieira, is pictured left. Her Father, Henrique Fournier, is pictured in the middle (right).
Lucas Paqueta’s wife’s parents were present at their daughter’s home to attend the Baby shower of their beloved grandson, Benício.
In late December of 2019, Denise Vieira and Henrique Fournier paid a visit to their daughter for the baby shower of their grandson, Benício Paqueta.
One thing you should know about Lucas Paqueta’s wife is her close relationship with her Dad. Maria describes Henrique Fournier as a man who gave her all the love in the world. He always spoilt her and yet taught her the values of life. Here is a childhood photo of Maria Eduarda Fournier with her Dad.
Lucas Paqueta’s wife was less than a year old when she took this photo with her Dad.
Maria Eduarda Fournier’s Occupation:
Regarding her job, not many soccer fans know that Lucas Paqueta’s wife is a tennis player. Maria Fournier is a great fan of Rafael Nadal. Because of marriage commitment (including childbearing/care), playing tennis was placed on hold.
As of 2015, Maria Fournier was very active in the tennis doubles (two vs two competitions). Here is a 2015 photo of Maria and her teammate playing doubles in a tennis tournament. The venue of this tennis match was the Rio de Janeiro (Granja Brasil) Residential Resort.
Lucas Paqueta’s wife, Maria, was once an active tennis player.
According to DailystarUK, Lucas Paqueta’s wife is a social media celebrity these days. Maria Eduarda Fournier is also a YouTuber.
Lucas Paqueta’s wife joined YouTube on the 29th day of May 2018. Since that year, Maria has amazed 8,500 subscribers and 140,362 views (as of September 2022).
It might interest you to know that Lucas Paqueta’s wife has a huge Instagram fan base. When writing this Bio, her Instagram followers are approximately 298,000.
This is one of many Instagram dancing videos Maria makes to excite her fans. It is no longer news that both couples (Lucas and Maria) are great dancers.
Maria Fournie is a selfless person who is regularly spotted cheering on her darling husband from the stands. In addition, she, who always appears attractive, is very noticeable at every soccer her husband attends.
Maria Eduarda Fournie is a supportive wife who has greatly influenced her husband’s success.
Lucas Paqueta Wedding:
Maria Fournier married her husband in November of 2018. Surprisingly, Maria and Lucas Paqueta’s wedding came just nine months after they began dating. Within nine months, these two love birds made up their mind to spend the rest of their lives together.
It is hard to explain the joy on Lucas Paqueta’s face – on his wedding day.
Speaking of happiness, the Brazilian also had his moment of sharing tears of joy on his wedding day. As soccer fans who watched his wedding video have said, Lucas Paqueta’s wedding (which was filled with lots of dancing) was very emotional for him. Watch it here!
Lucas Paqueta Children:
The Brazilian professional footballer is a proud Dad to his son Benício and a daughter. Both children were born to his wife, Maria Eduarda Fournier. Lucas Paqueta once revealed that the best feeling in the world is experienced each time he bonds with his family of four.
Meet Lucas Paqueta’s children – Benício and Filippo.
Benício Paqueta is Lucas Paqueta’s son. He was born on the 3rd day of May 2020. Filippo Fournier lime Tolentino is the daughter of Lucas Paqueta and Maria Eduarda Fournier. The midfielder is a great Dad who always stays by his wife’s side during childbirth.
These emotional pictures display how proud the dads feel when his child comes into the world.
Personal Life:
Who is Lucas Paqueta?
The Athlete is an extrovert who is humorous and full of enthusiasm. Paqueta is an absolute gentleman who lives an atypical football life. The Baller is capable of uniting different groups of people towards friendship causes.
Lucas Paqueta Lifestyle:
During holidays, the Westham star loves to play Altinha. Popularly known in Brazil, Altinha is a beach game born during the 60s on the sands of Ipanema beach, Rio de Janeiro.
Four months after Lucas Paqueta began dating his girlfriend, he taught her how to play Altinha. For Maria, it wasn’t bad playing it for the first time in her life. Fournier appreciates her husband for being a good teacher with patience, and that was what made her learn quickly.
Ask Lucas Paqueta about his holiday life, he’ll definitely tell you how he marvels at the beauty of Maldives. For many who don’t know, Maldives is an archipelagic state located in Southern Asia, in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
These emotional pictures display how proud the dad feels when his child comes into the world.
Many who have visited this great island would say… that paradise awaits in the Maldives. There exist several Instagram videos of Maria Fournier and her husband enjoying themselves at the Niyama Private Islands of Maldives. The Island is truly a beautiful place that soothes the soul.
Aside from visiting the Maldives, the Busch Gardens Theme Park in Tampa, Florida, is one of Maria’s favourite holiday destinations. Beto Carrero World in Penha, Santa Catarina, in Brazil, is another favourite place. At the left, behold a photo of the Beauty, the Beast and the Hero.
The Brazilian couple are no strangers to these great holiday destinations.
Lucas Paqueta Car:
The Brazilian attacking midfielder is no stranger to driving different automobiles. Do you know Lucas Paqueta’s first car? Based on research, the Brazilian is likely to have gotten this Honda car as his first. Paqueta hadn’t started earning lots of monies when he acquired this baby.
Young Lucas poses beside what looks like his first car.
Lucas Paqueta began acquiring his dream cars when football monies started coming in bulk. Pictured here is his black Porsche 911 turbo car – which has a price tag of approximately $270,000. Surprisingly, this money is less than two weeks of his West Ham football wages.
The Brazilian superstar steps out of his Porsche car.
When Benício Paqueta turned one year old, his Dad gave him a surprise car birthday gift. This birthday gift (a white Mercedes toy car) was almost a replica of Lucas Paqueta’s car. The Brazilian’s white Mercedes-Benz G-Class MSRP costs around $130,900 – less than his weekly West Ham wage.
Both father and son pose for a photo with their Mercedes car. Paqueta’s Mercedes-Benz G-class symbolizes his wealth.
Lucas extends his love for exotic cars by enjoying the Can-Am Outlander during the holidays. With this car, Paquetá can ride on all sorts of terrain. He once enjoyed the Can-Am Outlander during one of his seaside holidays.
The Brazilian takes a photo with a Can-Am Outlander L 450 570 XT front bumper.
Lucas Paqueta Family Life:
Success didn’t come for the 2021 COPA America winner because he played with fantastic teammates. Rather, it is because Lucas is blessed with these sets of people who support him and deserve to enjoy a good life with him.
Now, let’s tell you more about the Baller’s nuclear and extended family members.
Now that he has become rich, the footballer ensures his family members aren’t left out.
Lucas Paqueta Father:
Marcelo de Lima is proud to be the Dad who raised the superstar. Although Paqueta is much more closer to his Mum, his Father cannot be ruled out in terms of persons who contributed to his success as a footballer. Marcelo de Lima’s presence was huge at his son’s wedding.
Marcelo de Lima helped transform his son into the man he is today.
Lucas Paqueta Mother:
Cristiane Tolentino celebrates her birthday every 4th of September. The warrior Mum is now back to her hair business with Studio Leblon. Cristiane’s hair beauty salon is situated at Av. Gen. San Martin – Leblon, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brazil.
Even to this day, Lucas Paqueta often reminds his Mum how eternally grateful he is. For her sacrifices, especially when he suffered a bone retardation issue while he played for Flamengo’s youth. Cristiane Tolentino was born a fighter, and she proved that at a time her son needed her the most.
Cristiane Tolentino is the one who gave up her hairdressing profession to fight for her son. Today, she enjoys every part of Lucas’ success.
Lucas Paqueta Brother:
Matheus was born on the 12th day of March 1995 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is a central midfielder who has spent time at Flamengo’s base. As I write this Bio, Paqueta’s brother plays for Tombense Futebol Clube (MG).
Similar to Lucas Paquetá, Matheus, his brother, also stands out for his ability. Although he is not left-handed like Lucas. When Paquetá signed for AC Milan, Matheus also got his transfer to the Italian club, Monza.
Both Paqueta brothers are blood of the same blood.
Matheus and Lucas lived in the same room for many years, shared the same education, and grew up together. While Lucas’ height is 1.84 m (6 feet tall), that of his brother is 1.80 m or 5.9 feet.
During an interview with Globoesporte, Lucas revealed that his brother, Matheus, was more popular than him during their early career years. Have you seen Matheus play football? If not, then watch his highlights.
Lucas Paqueta Grandfather:
The Brazilian was lucky to have his Municipal soccer coach as the father of one of his parents. Seu Altamiro, known as “Mirão”, was instrumental to the success of Lucas and Matheus Paqueta’s soccer careers. Seu Altamiro, as I write this Bio, is late.
Lucas Paqueta Grandmother:
Dona Marlene is her name, and she also played a great role in his upbringing. Our research has it that Dona Marlene is married to Seu Altamiro, who is Lucas Paqueta’s grandfather.
On the 18th day of March 2020, Lucas Paqueta released a statement on his Instagram about the demise of Dona Marlene, his grandmother. In his words,
Lucas Paqueta’s grandmother died in 2018. Seu Altamiro is currently in heaven, by her husband’s side.
May the lady rest in peace, grandma. May Daddy from heaven and grandpa Miro receive you with open arms!
Lucas Paqueta Relatives:
One of the reasons he enjoyed a fruitful senior career start was the fantastic support he got from his other family members. The truth is, there is almost an atmosphere of joy whenever Paqueta’s extended family members gather for dinner.
The Brazilian midfielder, his brother and some extended family members.
Lucas Paqueta’s Mother and Father-In-law:
When compared to her husband, Denise Vieira, she is a more private person. Paqueta’s mother-in-law celebrates her birthday every September. Denise and Henrique Fournier enjoy a great relationship with their celebrity son-in-law.
Both mother and fathers-in-law are proud to have a good grandson in Lucas.
Maria Eduarda Fournier’s Brother:
Our research shows he bears the name Kal Fournier. His Full names are Carlos Henrique Vieira Ferreira Fournier. Kal was an active tennis player, and he played with his sister, Maria, back in the day. Kal Fournier is currently an Aeronautical Scientist and a Drone Pilot.
Young Maria takes a photo with her brother during a tennis event.
Untold Facts:
In the final phase of Lucas Paqueta’s Biography, we’ll tell you facts you might not know about him. Without further ado, let’s begin.
Lucas Paqueta Tattoos:
The Brazilian has a series of body arts, and the most obvious of them explains his religious beliefs. It reads in the Portuguese language;
I am a child of God I was born to win.
Again, one of Lucas Paquetá’s tattoos is in the form of the letter “M”. This tattoo recognizes the contribution of Mirão, his late grandfather, in making him who he is today.
He still loves Kite:
Even as he has become successful, Lucas never fails to connect to the people who made his childhood complete. As a professional footballer in Europe, he still finds time to fly kites with his relatives and family friends.
The midfielder once left Europe to visit his childhood friends and enjoy his old hobby – flying kite.
Remembering children’s games sometimes has its consequences, and we’ll tell you why. Paqueta once cut a finger on his right hand while flying a kite during his Rio de Janeiro vacation. He had to go through the operating room for a mirror surgery on his hand.
A photo of Lucas smiling with his right hand bandaged as a result of injuries from the flying kite.
FIFA Profile:
Over the years, the beautiful game has witnessed some exceptionally multifaceted talents. Lucas Paqueta’s SOFIFA stats show perfection in all areas of football. Here is proof that he, like Andrey Santos and Ngolo Kante (during his prime), is far above the 50-mark average in all areas of football, including defending.
At Age 23, the Brazilian already had the stats of a complete footballer.
Salary Breakdown:
On 29 August 2022, West Ham agreed to a deal that made him earn £150,000 weekly. This table breaks Lucas Paqueta’s wages into smaller numbers.
How rich is the Brazilian when compared to his people?
Where Lucas Paqueta’s family come from, the average person makes around 102,720 BRL per year. Do you know?… such an average earner would need to work for 36 years to make Paqueta’s monthly wage with West Ham.
Lucas Paqueta Religion:
Judging by the godly words on his tattoo, our odds are in favour of the Brazilian footballer being a devout Christian. Lucas Paqueta married Maria Fournier in a church which appears not to be catholic. Nevertheless, Paqueta belongs to the largest religion in Brazil.
EndNote:
Lucas Tolentino Coelho de Lima, known affectionately as ‘Paqueta’ or ‘new Kaka,’ was born on August 27, 1997, on Paquetá Island, Rio de Janeiro. His mother, Cristiane Tolentino, is a hairdresser, while details about his father Marcelo de Lima’s occupation are not widely known.
Growing up alongside his older brother, Matheus, Lucas enjoyed a childhood filled with soccer on Paquetá Island. Despite coming from a modest background, Lucas Paqueta’s early years were shaped by his passion for the game and the support of his family.
Seu Altamiro, AKA “Mirão”, is Lucas Paqueta’s grandfather (now late). He credits his early soccer education to Mirão, a former Municipal coach who is now late.
During Matheus and Lucas’ childhood, their late granddad often took them to Gávea, an affluent Rio de Janeiro residential neighbourhood, to play soccer with Flamengo.
Paqueta’s early career with Flamengo was threatened with physicality issues. Because of bone retardation, he found it difficult to grow past a height of 1.53 meters.
When the club refused to promote him to bigger age groups because of physicality issues, it because more frustrating. It was at this time that Lucas Paqueta’s Mum interveined.
Cristiane Tolentino abandoned her profession to fight for her son’s rights and career development.
After a focus on targeted nutrition and several fitness routines, Paqueta’s physicality issues got resolved. Since then, the Brazilian attacking midfielder has not looked back – from both club and national football levels.
The successful Brazilian footballer is married to his wife, Maria Eduarda Fournier. Lucas Paqueta and his wife are proud parents of their son, Benício and a daughter.
We hope you’ve immersed yourself in the vibrant journey of Lucas Paqueta, a player whose flair and creativity have captivated fans worldwide. From the football-loving streets of Rio de Janeiro to gracing the fields of Europe, Lucas’s path is adorned with dazzling skills and memorable moments.
This story has delved into his formative years, the bedrock of family values instilled by Cristiane Tolentino and Marcelo de Lima, and the personal life that fuels his passion for the game. Indeed, Lucas Paqueta’s evolution from a promising talent to a celebrated star is a tribute to the magic of football and the enduring spirit of those who play it. Aside from immediate family members, credit goes to his mother-in-law (Denise Vieira), father-in-law (Henrique Fournier), and brother-in-law (Kal Fournier) for their great contributions to his life.
Appreciation Note:
Aside from our write-up on Lucas Paqueta’s Biography, we’ve got other interesting stories from this category. The Childhood stories of Bruno Guimaraes and Vitor Roque would excite your reading pleasure.
Thank you for taking the time to read our version of Lucas Paqueta’s Biography. We care about accuracy and fairness in our quest to deliver you South American Soccer Stories. Paqueta’s Bio is part of our Brazilian Soccer story collection.
Kindly reach out to us via comment if you find anything that doesn’t look right in this memoir of the Rio de Janeiro native. We’d also like to hear what you think about the West Ham star’s career and our impressive story of him.
