Vitor Roque and Barça: The truth comes out after his return to Brazil

At just 20 years old, Vitor Roque has already experienced the highs and lows of professional football. Officially unveiled as a new Palmeiras player, the young Brazilian striker is closing the chapter on his time at FC Barcelona—a period that fell far short of expectations. Returning home, he hopes to rediscover his best form and relaunch his career in a more familiar and supportive environment.

Roque’s move to Palmeiras comes after a disappointing stint in Europe. Initially signed by Barcelona with high hopes, his time in Spain was marked by inconsistency, injuries, and a lack of regular playing time. He was sent on loan to Real Betis at the start of 2024 in an attempt to gain more minutes, but even that move failed to provide the breakthrough he needed. Now, with a reported €25 million transfer, he is looking to put the past behind him and make a fresh start.

Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has spoken candidly about Roque’s struggles. In a recent statement, he acknowledged that the timing of the move was not ideal. “I think, first of all, Vitor’s timing was not good, for several reasons that I cannot explain now. He shouldn’t have come in January—it’s always a complicated market. He was coming back from an injury and a period without playing, which did not make his adaptation any easier,” Deco admitted.

Roque himself has also reflected on his struggles at Barcelona. He openly acknowledged that he was not in the best physical or mental condition when he arrived. “When I got to Barcelona, I was coming back from an injury and had just finished my vacation. I was not feeling my best. I even hired external professionals to help me, but there were many other factors. Now, I just want to recover my confidence—that is the most important thing,” Roque stated.

This honest assessment makes it clear that his time at Barcelona was not just a failure of talent but also one of circumstances. The transition from Brazilian football to La Liga is already challenging for young players, and Roque had to navigate this shift while dealing with injuries and a lack of rhythm.

At Palmeiras, however, Roque sees an opportunity to regain his form and prove himself once again. During his official presentation, he expressed his excitement about the new challenge. “I am very happy to be here. It was a tough negotiation, with a lot of waiting and stress, but everything worked out in the end. I can’t wait to play and help the team,” he said.

His transfer fee of €25.5 million shows how much faith Palmeiras has in him. The Brazilian club, which has dominated the domestic league in recent seasons, sees Roque as a key piece in their attacking setup. He has been handed the iconic number 9 jersey, a clear sign of the expectations placed on him. However, instead of feeling pressured, Roque seems eager to embrace the challenge.

Palmeiras is currently the reigning champion of the Paulistão, and the club has ambitious goals for both national and international competitions. Roque’s arrival is seen as a major boost to their attacking options, and fans are hopeful that he will quickly rediscover the form that once made him one of the most promising young strikers in Brazil.

Inevitably, comparisons have been drawn between Roque and Endrick, the other Brazilian wonderkid who is set to join Real Madrid. However, Roque has dismissed any notion of rivalry between them. “It’s the media that tries to create a rivalry that doesn’t exist. Endrick and I have always been friends and teammates. He is writing his own story, and I want to write mine,” he clarified.

This perspective shows a level-headed maturity from Roque, who understands that his career path is unique and should not be defined by comparisons. While Endrick is heading to Europe, Roque’s decision to return to Brazil may ultimately be what helps him fulfill his potential.

Deco also highlighted that Barcelona has not closed the door on Roque completely. While the transfer to Palmeiras appears permanent, the club will be monitoring his progress. “We still believe in his talent. He needed more time to adapt, and sometimes things don’t work out immediately. The important thing is for him to regain his confidence,” Deco explained.

For Roque, the immediate priority is to perform well in Brazil and prove that he is still the same talent that Barcelona saw when they initially signed him. If he shines at Palmeiras, there is always a possibility that European clubs, including Barcelona, could take notice once again.

As things stand, the move to Palmeiras offers Roque the perfect opportunity to reset his career. He will be playing in an environment where he is comfortable, at a club that believes in him, and in a league where he has already thrived before. If he can rediscover his goal-scoring touch, there is no reason why he cannot still fulfill his dream of succeeding at the highest levels of football.

For now, though, his focus is solely on Palmeiras and making the most of this fresh start. With the Brazilian club aiming for more silverware, Roque has a chance to play a key role in their future success. Whether he will return to Europe in the future remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Vitor Roque is determined to prove that his story is far from over.