Vitor Roque interview part 2: "I have a similar style of play to Luis Suarez"

SPORT EXCLUSIVE

Vitor Roque interview part 2: "I have a similar style of play to Luis Suarez"

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The Brazilian striker, who is a firm Barca target, spoke to SPORT

Vitor Roque spoke exclusively to SPORT at his residence in Curitiba. The Ath. Paranaense 'No 9', who turned 18 this Tuesday, is one of Barça's targets for next summer. The club are convinced that he has the potential to become a striker who plays a role similar to the one Luis Suárez had. For the moment, 'Tigrinho' makes the difference wherever he goes in the Copa Libertadores, in the Brasileirao and, more recently, in the South American Under-20 where he was a champion and top scorer.

Barça see you as 'the Brazilian Luis Suárez', do you think you share similarities in the way you play?

Yes, I think so, there is a great similarity, both Luis Suarez and I use a lot of physicality in the way we play, and we also have points in common in finishing, being very keen on scoring goals.

And also your competitive side...

Yes, that's the spirit in South America. It's a way of being very competitive, which makes us different from other footballers.

You break the cliché abroad that Brazilians love to have fun with the ball, but are sometimes not focused on the game... with all due respect, you are a 'competitive animal'.

Yes, I focus a lot on the game. From the first whistle I try to fight to the maximum, I think it's as if there was a plate of food, I have to go all out to conquer it and satisfy my hunger. I play with a big appetite.

Does Luis Suarez's success at Barcelona inspire you?

Yes, of course it does. He's now playing here at Gremio and I hope that when we play we can swap shirts. I'd love to have his shirt. I get a lot of inspiration from what he does and I hope that, if I go to Barcelona, I can be as successful as he was. 

Will the Luis Suarez-Vitor Roque '9' duel be special?

Yes, for sure. I always played in FIFA with him and saw him on TV and now the opportunity to play against each other may arise.

And if there is a chance to talk to him, what would you like to ask him?

What is the secret to staying at the top level for so long with the same voracity to score and win?

Do you think that at the recent South American U-20 Championship in Colombia, where you were observed by Barça, you managed to show everything that you are today as a player?

Yes, I'm very satisfied with everything I did. I tried to help Brazil as much as possible. We ended up champions and I was a top scorer. It was a job very well done, not only by me but by the whole team. 

Have you seen the list of top scorers in this competition?

Yes (laughs).

And what does it mean to see your name alongside the likes of Romario, Adriano 'Emperor', Neymar Jr. and Cavani?

It's very special, also for the fact that I wear the '9' shirt of Brazil, which is very heavy. This is a title that will undoubtedly be very important in my career.

Who is your footballing idol?

Neymar Jr. because he is a guy with extraordinary quality who represents all the virtues that Brazilian football has. He is a great inspiration for my career.

You occupy different positions: Neymar is a '10', and you are a '9'.

Yes, but he is Brazilian. I would love to have the same path of success that he has had in European football.

You also like Cristiano Ronaldo, is it because of his past at Real Madrid?

No, I like him because of the way he approaches football through hard work and his great competitive mentality. For me, it is essential to have a good physical preparation to play at the highest level. 

What characteristics does a 'No 9' have to have nowadays?

A good finish with both legs, knowing how to play inside and outside the box and, above all, being at the service of the team by scoring goals, but also being generous when it comes to providing assists.

Do you feel comfortable in all three attacking positions?

Yes, very comfortable. When I made my professional debut at Cruzeiro I also played as a right winger, at Ath. Paranaense I always played as a centre forward.

Do you feel that you are at a club that is a perfect springboard for your career to take off?

Ath. Paranaense has always developed great players, like Bruno Guimarães, who is now at Newcastle and was in the last World Cup with Brazil. 

You now share a dressing room with Fernandinho, the City idol. What does he tell you?

He always gives me advice. He explains to me that European football is very fast and requires you to think and execute at great speed. 

And what did Scolari tell you when he coached you?

He is an incredible person who has worked with a lot of great players and he helped me a lot. He told me to be calm on and off the pitch and, above all, to always have humility.

Speaking now about the Seleçao. The interim coach is Ramon Menezes who coached you in the South American U-20. It's not crazy to think that you could be in the squad for the friendly on the 25th in Morocco.

That's what I'm working for, to be among the best. I had a good South American Championship and I hope this will help me to be called up.

Next year there are the Olympic Games in Paris.

Brazil won the last two gold medals in Rio and Tokyo. I followed it on TV and now I would be thrilled to be there.

And in 2026 comes the World Cup and you will be 21 years old.

There is no doubt that one of my objectives is to be able to take part in this new cycle in Brazil that is starting now. I dream of being at the next World Cup.

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