The 2018 campaign saw Mengão mount a serious title challenge, ultimately finishing a respectable 2nd in Série A after leading the league for much of the first half of the season. Leading the charge was the sensational young star Lucas Paquetá, whose 10 crucial league goals earned him the nickname "Paquetop" and a call-up to the Brazilian national team. Despite mid-season turbulence and a managerial merry-go-round, the year was defined by the emergence of Paquetá and fellow "wonderkid" Vinicius Júnior, marking a high-potential era before their memorable transfers to European giants.