Xavi hits back after Vitor Roque criticism

Robin Bairner

• 27 Jan 2024 09:57 GMT
• 3 min read

Barcelona head coach Xavi has already been forced to defend the signing of Vitor Roque.

The Brazilian teenager was expected to join the Camp Nou side in the summer but that deal was shifted forward to January after an injury to Gavi allowed Barca to free up some room on their wage budget.

The 18-year-old, who signed for €40 million in the biggest deal of the January transfer window to date, has featured four times for the club since arriving from Athletico Paranaense, where he scored 28 times in 81 outings, but he has yet to strike for Barca.

There is already some scepticism over just how much Xavi wants Vitor Roque in his squad, with rumours circulating that he was simply a signing designed by sporting director Deco after the teen failed to play for a single minute in the 4-2 extra-time loss to Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey in midweek.

Xavi, who finds himself under increasing pressure after that defeat, has hit back at these suggestions.

“Let me clarify: Vitor is Barca signing, not just Deco's signing. We all trust him,” the head coach told the media ahead of Saturday’s LaLiga fixture against Villarreal.

“The other day he didn't play due to a tactical decision, but he already played against Real Betis and he will continue to be a player who will be important to us.”

Vitor Roque being eased in

Vitor Roque has only played 73 minutes of action for Barca, with two of his outings coming against lesser-ranked opponents in the Copa del Rey.

He was, however, given 12 minutes at the end of locked game against Las Palmas and played a role as Barcelona came through to record a vital 2-1 victory in that clash, while his longest action to date arrived against Betis as he was brought on shortly after the Sevillian side had come back from 2-0 down to make it 2-2. Barca also went on to win that game.

Vitor Roque is expected to get plenty more game time in the weeks ahead, particularly with concerns over Robert Lewandowski’s form.