Newsroom of Notícias da Hora
21 January 2026
A creative contract put Rio Branco Football Club (RBFC) in the spotlight this week. Amid speculation about the future of midfielder Lucas Paquetá, involving a possible return to English football with West Ham and interest from Flamengo, a humorous version emerged pointing out that the player had “signed” with the club from Acre.
The joke began with the circulation of an audio on messaging applications, in which the information is narrated in a relaxed manner, suggesting that Rio Branco had anticipated the football giants to guarantee the signing of the athlete. The idea gained even more repercussion after the publication of an alleged “Private Contract for the Provision of Sports Services”, attributed to RBFC.
In the document, clearly identified as humorous and without legal value, the club appears as the contractor and Lucas Paquetá as the contractor. Among the clauses, the “athlete” would commit to defending Rio Branco FC, honoring the shirt, respecting the fans and fully accepting the climatic, cultural and football conditions of Acre.
The contract would be valid for one year and brings unusual remuneration: 12 months of “free download” at the traditional Mercado do Bosque, a well-known spot in the capital of Acre. Obligations include playing seriously and not complaining about the heat, the pitch or the refereeing — elements often associated with local football.
Contract termination, according to the text, could occur if the player complained excessively about the weather or requested payment in foreign currency. The document is dated January 20, 2026, in Rio Branco, and bears equally ironic signatures.
The satire quickly went viral on social media and WhatsApp groups, making fans and internet users laugh. More than a “fake signing”, the piece reinforces the good mood of the Acre native and shows how football continues to be fertile ground for creativity, memes and jokes — even when it involves star names on the international scene.
