(Football news) This week, FC Barcelona officially announced the signing of Vitor Roque, an 18-year-old Brazilian center striker. The bright young Brazilian has agreed to a long-term contract that will keep him with the club through the 2031 season, staying in Brazilian football for one more season.
For Athletico Paranaense and the Brazilian U-20 national team, Vitor has left a lasting impression that has caught the attention of FC Barcelona and people all across Europe. The team’s leading scorer and a fixture in the starting XI, he was even given the legendary number 9 shirt.
Vitor Roque, one of Brazil’s best scorers, has 15 goals in 31 games this season and has already won the state championship for Parana. In addition, he triumphed in the South American U-20 championship in February and led the competition in goals scored with six.
He has been praised by a world-champion coach:
Even before Vitor’s transfer to FC Barcelona was official, former Athletico Paranaense head coach and 2002 World Cup champion Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari complimented Vitor. During the 2022 season, Scolari served as his coach and lavished praise on him.
He said, “He has a lot of room for improvement.” He was only 17 when he experienced a Copa Libertadores final. He has had prior experiences in which he served as the focal point. He is a very attentive youngster who is focused and well-balanced.
Vitor already has experience with La Canarinha:
Vitor Roque made his first appearance for the senior Brazilian national team on March 3rd, 2023, against World Cup surprise package Morocco. He played 25 minutes in the friendly, enough for him to become the youngest player to make his debut for the national team (18 years and 25 days) since Ronaldo Nazario (18 years and 17 days) in 1994.
He will be the youngest player in the squad:
Five players on FC Barcelona’s current roster are under the age of 21, but Vitor Roque will still join the team as the group’s rookie. The team’s current rookie, Gavi, who was born in August 2004, is six months older than Vitor, who was born on February 28, 2005, in Timóteo, Minas Gerais. The youngest member on the squad, Robert Lewandowski, made his professional debut when the Brazilian toddler was just two years old.
Additionally, he will be the first Brazilian since 2019 to play for Brazilian football and join Barça. 46 Brazilians have been registered with the Catalan club over the course of their existence, however, only 16 of them are native Brazilians.But one of the most anticipated prospects in recent years, Vitor Roque, finally makes an appearance.
He is a friend of Endrick, the future Real Madrid star:
When it comes to Endrick, a fellow young Brazilian football star who will also be playing in Spain by the start of the following season, Vitor has never veiled their close bond. Due to their outstanding performances, significant goals, and moves to the two LALIGA heavyweights, they are the young Brazilians who receive the most attention in the worldwide media.
We frequently discuss things on social media, explains Vitor. He is a remarkable young man with a lot of potential. We are two upcoming artists. Both as a player and a person, he excels. I sincerely hope that our future together will be wonderful.
He’s all the rage in the international media:
Since news of Vitor Roque’s likely entry into European football initially broke, the media has praised him highly, highlighting his meteoric rise and limitless potential. For instance, the Brazilian daily Mundo Deportivo recently stated that “Brazilian talents will dominate the future and Vitor Roque is one of them,” while The Athletic referred to Vitor as “one of the best since Ronaldo.”
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