First, some context. Lucas Paqueta walked out of the London Stadium tunnel for Sunday’s draw with Tottenham Hotspur holding the hands of his two sons, Benicio and Filippo. They wore West Ham United shirts with ‘Daddy’ and ‘10’ on their backs.
It was arranged as a treat for Filippo after turning four years old. Tomas Soucek gave him a high five as they were lining up, saying: ‘Birthday boy!’ Paqueta’s wife, Duda, filmed it all on her phone like a proud mum would.
It was already a poignant day for Paqueta, therefore, and regardless of your opinion on the 27-year-old Brazilian and the spot-fixing accusations aimed at him via the Football Association, it may help explain why this match in particular carried an extra emotional edge for him personally.