“The football, country, language, culture” – Player describes difficulties at West Ham

Luis Guilherme has opened up about just how difficult he found his first months at West Ham, admitting he initially thought he would last no longer than six months in England.

The Brazilian arrived from Palmeiras as an 18-year-old in July 2024. West Ham paid €23m (£20m) for one of the most highly-rated youngsters in Brazilian football.

Yet the move presented problems almost immediately. Now Luis Guilherme explained that almost everything about his new surroundings required adjustment.

“I thought I would stay six months at most”

In comments relayed by Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, the winger says he particularly struggled during his first three months in London. Football was only one part of it.

“At first it was the intensity, completely different from Brazil. The first three months were very difficult for me because of everything. Not only football, but the country, the language and the culture.”

“Honestly, I thought I wouldn’t stay there very long. I thought I would stay six months at most.”

“I have to thank God and my wife, who was with me at all times. It was important for me to mature as a person and as a player. Now I’m mentally stronger.”

“In England, the game was different from Brazil. At first that gets in the way, but over time it makes us mature.”

He ultimately stayed much longer than those six months. However, things never really clicked at West Ham.

Luis Guilherme struggled for regular football and eventually left for Sporting in January 2026. The Portuguese club paid €14m (£12.2m) plus a possible €3m (£2.6m) in bonuses.

Portugal has made adaptation easier

The contrast with his arrival in Lisbon is clear from the player’s own account.

“It was good, it was positive. I came from a context that didn’t favour me much, where I didn’t have much continuity.”

“When I arrived here, I received all the support from the staff and the players. I felt at home from my first day and I was able to get back to playing.”

Well, the numbers certainly support the final part.

Luis Guilherme managed just 309 minutes across 18 appearances during his entire West Ham spell. He has already played 1,202 minutes in 26 matches for Sporting.

That’s almost four times his West Ham total, despite only moving to Lisbon in January.

Also, before leaving Brazil, he played 1,357 minutes across 45 senior appearances for Palmeiras. He’s already close to matching that entire workload at Sporting.

Some of the everyday barriers he encountered in England aren’t there in Portugal either.

“Mainly the language and the weather have a big influence. I feel more and more comfortable showing my football. It’s about understanding the team’s structure and what the coach asks of me.”

Rui Borges also offered something the Brazilian rarely enjoyed at West Ham: immediate opportunities.

“The coach gave me confidence from the first day. In the first few days I already started playing and had minutes, which was very important for my adaptation.”

“Even today he gives me confidence. I hope to repay what he has done for me.”