Barcelona’s annoyance with Brazil over Vitor Roque

Fernando Diniz made his debut on Friday as Brazil coach (he will be in charge until July 2024 because the CBF swears that Carlo Ancelotti will then arrive) by giving the squad list for the FIFA matchday in September, when the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup will kick off. The 'Canarinha' will face Bolivia and Peru.

In Brazil, the presence of Vitor Roque, whom his compatriots unanimously see as the '9' of the Seleçao in the next World Cup, was taken for granted. However, the future Blaugrana striker was not called up. In his place Diniz opted for Richarlison (Tottenham) and the ex-colchonero Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton).

The absence of 'Tigrinho' created a debate in his country and was a big disappointment for Deco and the entire Barça sports management, who do not understand the footballing reasons for the absence of the most promising striker not only in Brazil but in the whole of South American football.

Barça were confident that Vitor Roque would be called up for all the FIFA dates in this final stretch of the year. It was understood that his presence in the main Seleçao was more than deserved due to his good performances in the Copa Libertadores and the Brasileirao. It would help him to continue maturing as a player and a person, facing more and more demanding challenges before his arrival at Barcelona, which everything suggests will be in the next winter transfer window, as Xavi revealed in a press conference.

Barça are not without reason in their dissatisfaction with the new Brazilian coach. The numbers ratify it. Since January, coinciding with the start of the new World Cup cycle, Vitor Roque has already scored 18 goals for Ath. Paranaense (plus eight assists). If the six goals he scored at the South American U-20 Championship with Brazil, where he was champion and top scorer, are included, he has 24. 

In this same period of time, the joint scoring records of the '9' duo chosen by Diniz reach? three goals. Richarlison has only scored once in this 2023 with Tottenham. That was on 30 April in the 4-3 defeat away to Liverpool in the 34th Premiership matchday.

And with Matheus Cunha (nobody understands the reason for his call-up) it is more of the same. That's two goals: one in Wolves' 2-4 home defeat to Leeds on matchday 27a, 18 March, and another in a 2-1 loss at Leicester City on 22 April in matchday 32a.

Neither has scored in the first two rounds of this 2023-24 season in England.