West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta fires back at Roy Keane for ‘Strictly’ remarks
Lucas Paqueta has responded after the West Ham star and his Brazil teammates were criticised for dancing by Roy Keane on ITV.
Brazil blew South Korea away in the first half of their last-16 tie at the World Cup on Monday night (5 December), in a game which finished 4-1, as the Hammers man volleyed in the fourth before half time.
But the group dancing celebrations after each goal riled Keane who considered it disrespectful to the Korean team.
On the live coverage of the game he said at half-time on Monday night (7:51pm): “I can’t believe what I’m watching, I can’t believe what I’m watching, it’s like watching Strictly [Come Dancing].”
But Paqueta has now defended himself and his teammates, countering, as per the Daily Express, with: “The dance is a representation of our joy after scoring a goal. We don’t do it to disrespect anyone, we don’t do it in front of our opponents.
“We all get together to celebrate. If they don’t like it, there’s not much to say.
“We’ll keep scoring goals and keep dancing. This is a group that is happy to score, to get the victory and the goals.”
Eni Aluko had more or less echoed Paqueta’s stance at the time, laughing after Keane’s outrage before adding: “I love it. We’re at a Brazilian party. This is why Brazil are the favourites, it’s part of their personality.”
But Keane was unmoved, saying: “I don’t like this. I know Eni’s made the point about it’s their culture. But I think that’s really disrespecting the opposition.”
He went on: “I’m not happy with it. I don’t think it’s good at all.”
Storm in a teacup
Paqueta is well known for dancing in celebrations, as are the likes of Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, so they clearly aren’t pulling out new tricks to upset their World Cup opponents.
There’s an argument to be made that if you play as well as Brazil did against Korea in the first half you’ve earned the right to celebrate like that.
But whether everyone is actively a fan of it or not, it’s not exactly a major crime and it is at least more interesting than a dour 1-0 win without a hint of celebration.
Keane wasn’t impressed because if a British or Irish side suddenly burst into a group dance it would be outside the norm and probably would look like showboating.
But for Brazil it is as much part of their style as the way they play, which is widely celebrated when they are on form and seen as one of the draws of the World Cup.
Pundits have the right to criticise, and players have the right to reply, which is what Keane and then Paqueta have exercised in this instance.
And West Ham fans certainly wouldn’t mind seeing a few choreographed routines from Paqueta and his Hammers teammates if it means they are playing well and scoring goals, after a difficult start to the season.