Paquetá reaches career-best scoring season with 13 goals in 2026

Lucas Paquetá reached his most prolific season as a club player after scoring in Flamengo's 3-0 victory over Bahia on Sunday (18) in the 31st round of Brazil's top division. With 13 goals in 2026, the midfielder has already surpassed his previous career highs across his stints in Europe and his original spell with Rubro-Negro. The milestone arrives with at least eight matches still to play before the year's end.

Gilvan de Souza / CRF

Paquetá netted 12 goals in 2018 before leaving Flamengo to join AC Milan in Italy. During his time at Lyon in France, his best tally was 11 strikes. These figures count only his club performances and exclude goals scored for the Brazilian national team.

"When I returned to Flamengo, I already knew how the team played, taking control of the match and creating plenty of chances. That's why I imagined I could reach this mark, even though I've played deeper in some games", the player revealed.

The numbers underline the No. 11's excellent form: across 39 appearances for Flamengo this season, he's averaging a goal every three matches. In total, he has made 135 appearances for the club, scoring 31 goals and providing eight assists.

"I'm very happy with this moment and the phase the club is going through. I hope to keep contributing so the team can achieve its objectives this season", he added.

Paquetá's first goal since returning to Flamengo came against Botafogo on 15 February in the Copa Carioca quarter-finals. He opened the scoring in a 2-1 victory at Nilton Santos, helping secure a semi-final spot. Rubro-Negro subsequently won the state title for the 40th time.

Gilvan de Souza / CRF

Despite that milestone's significance, the midfielder selected a different strike as 2026's most meaningful: his equaliser against Cruzeiro at Mineirão on 12 August in the CONMEBOL Libertadores Round of 16.

"It was against Cruzeiro because of how important the match was and everything at stake. It was a knockout tie in the Libertadores, and that goal helped keep us alive in our pursuit of qualification. Thankfully, we produced a strong performance in the return leg, won, and progressed", Paquetá highlighted.

Adriano Fontes / CRF