West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta has insisted he is eternally grateful to former club AC Milan, as his time with them meant he could end up where he is now.
The midfielder was speaking to Gianluca di Marzio following West Ham’s recent Europa League clash with Freiburg, which they won 2-1.
Paqueta bagged one of the Hammers goals in that win, opening the scoring in the 8th minute for his first goal in the competition this season.
The Brazilian has picked up where he left off with West Ham last season, continuing to star in the middle of a new look midfield following the summer departure of Declan Rice.
He’s very much a key player in David Moyes’ side, so much so that Manchester City came calling for him this summer to bolster their own midfield options.
Paqueta has come a long way since his early days in Europe, with a move to AC Milan from Flamengo in 2019 not working out as many had hoped.
He arrived in a €38.4m transfer as one of the rising stars in Brazilian football but struggled in Italy, leading Milan to sell him to Lyon for €23.44m a year later.
He shone during his two years in France and has now continued that with West Ham, but insists he bears no ill-will to the Rossoneri.
“I have many memories and many friends in Milan,” he said.
“It was a good experience but at the same time difficult, but it allowed me to grow. Today I am still a fan of Milan, a club which will always remain special to me.
“Football is not easy, at a certain point changes are inevitable to get where you want. That’s what I did but I will always thank Milan, the fans and my friends.
“But I had to leave, life is like that. If I am where I am today it is above all thanks to Milan. Football is like this, there are ups and downs and we have to gain experiences to get to the top. And today I am grateful to everyone.”
