Vitor Roque's Barcelona dream has become a nightmare

Tom Weber

Updated: 6 Mar 2024 20:46 GMT
3 min read

Vitor Roque, Barcelona, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Vitor Roque is growing increasingly concerned with his lack of minutes at Barcelona, according to Spanish media.

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The youngster recently fulfilled his dream of signing for Barcelona, officially joining the club in the January transfer window for an initial €40 million. This made him the most expensive signing of what was otherwise a very quiet winter transfer window.

Having starred for Athletico Paranaense in his native Brazil, the 19-year-old appeared to carry that form over into the new year when he scored his first Barcelona goals in back-to-back games at the end of January and the beginning of February.

After serving a one-game suspension, Roque was rewarded with his first Blaugrana start, but his hopes of establishing himself in Xavi's first-choice side were quickly dashed. In the two games since then, Roque has played just a measly 13 minutes, not even getting off the bench against Athletic Club at the weekend.

Roque developing concerns

All told, Roque has featured in just 164 of the available 720 minutes since joining Barcelona. According to Sport, the youngster and his camp are developing concerns about his role in the team.

The problem is not just his lack of minutes but also Xavi's tactical experiments. When he has played recently, Roque has been used out wide on the left, a role he only rarely featured in during his Athletico Paranaense days. It clearly doesn't suit him as he is a pure penalty box striker, who shines more with his clinical finishing than his technical ability.

Roque is worried that his lack of minutes could cost him his place in Brazil's squad for the upcoming Copa America, with the 19-year-old recently getting snubbed by head coach Dorival Junior while Real Madrid-bound wonderkid Endrick, who is still only 17, received a call-up for friendlies against England and Spain instead.