Vítor Roque: I will succeed at Barcelona
A gigantic euphoria and overflowing, exuberant joy. This is how the Roque Ferreira family experienced the best weekend of their lives, the one in which the signing of 'Vitinho', as his closest relatives call him, Vitor Roque by FC Barcelona for the next seven seasons, until June 30, 2030, was finalised.
The transfer from Ath. Paranaense to Barça, which as SPORT exclusively revealed will be for 30 million euros plus 31 million euros in variables, had already been penned a week ago. The last few days have been used to complete the bureaucratic formalities involved in every international transaction in the world of professional football. There have been no surprises, no major setbacks, and no ultimatum from the 'Furacao' to Barcelona. The catastrophic narratives differ from the cordial atmosphere between clubs that has existed during all the negotiations.
The atmosphere within the Roque Ferreira family was one of satisfaction for the work done, because the effort they have made on their part has been worth it. They have given up very juicy commissions from United, PSG and Chelsea and a sign-on fee for 'Tigrinho' of 10 million euros gross for the first season. They have willingly accepted Barça's new salary pyramid, and the 18-year-old Brazilian striker will start on 3.5 million gross in the year of his debut in Blaugrana.
On Wednesday, at the Maracana, Vitor Roque confirmed his sweet moment of form in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil against Flamengo. His side lost 2-1 after leading 1-0 throughout the first half, but the striker continued to add to his attacking form with an assist. In the last six games, he has six goals and two assists. And in 2023, he already has 21 goals and six assists in 39 appearances between the 'Furacao' and the Seleçao U-20.
Xavi's surprise call to his future pupil on Friday (another piece of information that SPORT has exclusively revealed) left the future Barça No 9 speechless.
It was the first time that the two had communicated. And the coach, who knows how to take care of details very well, injected confidence into the Brazilian striker, who, in case he had any doubts, now knows that he will land at Barcelona (everything points to January because, for the moment, there is no margin in the Financial Fair Play to register him in this window) with the full confidence of all the club's strata: from the presidency, to the sports area, the coaching staff and the squad.
And on Saturday, when the last signatures were affixed, euphoria broke out in the family nucleus with Vitor Roque at the head, surrounded by his older sister Vitoria, his mother Hercilia and his father Juvenal. At his residence, in a private estate on the outskirts of Curitiba, was the player's agent, Andre Cury, along with his core team at the Minas Gerais stadium, who have been advising them for more than seven years.
It was then, when Tigrinho made a promise to those closest to him, that is a declaration of intent: "I assure you that I will succeed at Barça".
The confirmation of his signing for Barça, which should be officially announced later this week, coincided with his stay in Curitiba, as he was unable to play in Sunday's Fortaleza-Ath. Paranaense match (his team lost 1-0) because he was suspended for multiple yellow cards.
Today, Vitor Roque returns to training to prepare for the match against Flamengo next Wednesday at the Arena de Baixada, the second leg of the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil.
