Lucas Paqueta believes Vinicius Junior will eventually follow him back to Flamengo.
The Brazil international has already completed his own return to the Rio de Janeiro club this winter, reigniting excitement among supporters who grew up watching him emerge from their academy.
Paqueta’s homecoming has naturally intensified questions about whether Vinicius Junior could one day do the same.
Lucas Paqueta sends Vinicius Junior a Flamengo message
With both players sharing deep roots at Flamengo, Paqueta’s latest comments feel more symbolic than speculative.
Speaking in an interview with ESPN Brasil, Lucas Paqueta said: “Vinicius? We talk a lot, and I told him: ‘I’m here, now all that’s missing is you. Come, because we have to fulfill what we promised.'”
Now that Paqueta has officially rejoined Flamengo, the message carries added weight.
What once sounded like a light-hearted exchange between former teammates now feels like an open invitation for Vinicius Junior to consider retracing his own steps back to Brazil.
Lucas Paqueta is confident Vinicius Junior will leave Real Madrid
Lucas Paqueta doubled down on his belief about the Real Madrid forward’s long-term future, stating: “I’m sure that, at the right time, he will return to Flamengo.”
Vinicius Junior remains a central figure at Real Madrid, competing for major domestic and European honours while firmly in his prime.
Any departure in the short term would be unexpected given his importance to the Spanish side and his contractual situation.
However, Flamengo have a strong tradition of welcoming back former academy stars, and Paqueta’s own return reinforces that pathway.
For supporters in Rio, the idea of seeing Vinicius Junior back at the Maracana is not unrealistic; it is simply a matter of timing. Paqueta’s stance is clear. The reunion may not happen soon, but he believes it will happen eventually.
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