Vitor Roque arrived at Barcelona in January with great expectations surrounding his big money move from Athletico Paranaense, with the 19-year-old striker coming off a great season in Brazil and displaying huge potential.
The club was very clear about their intention of being cautious and patient with Roque’s development, and that has proven to be the case so far: the Brazilian has started just twice and played a total of 310 minutes in 13 appearances for Barça, scoring two goals and showing plenty of positive signs.
But as we approach the end of the season a big decision must be made: should Vitor Roque stick around and continue to play a few minutes off the bench or should he get a loan move to a smaller club in Europe to be a consistent starter in the next phase of his development?
Xavi Hernández was asked that question in a press conference on Sunday, and the coach did not rule out the possibility of a loan for the young striker.
“At the end of the season we will decide. It is not easy to adapt at 18 years old and make a difference coming from Brazil. I think he is capable of playing for Barça for years. He needs to play.”
Xavi is absolutely right that Roque needs to play, and with Robert Lewandowski likely to stay this summer it doesn’t appear as though there will be enough minutes for Vitor up front. Playing him out of position on the wing doesn’t really help his development, so it seems inevitable that he has to go somewhere else to be a full-time starter and come back a better, more mature player who will be ready for a bigger role in 2025-26.
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