FC Barcelona outcast Vitor Roque has been made sad by his plight at the club to the point of crying according to Mundo Deportivo, which cited anonymous sources.
The Brazilian was bought for €30 million last year, with an extra €31 million possibly coming his former club Athletico Paranaense’s way in add-ons.
Barca brought the striker’s move forward to January 2024 when midfielder Gavi picked up a season-ending ACL injury.
Yet despite Vitor Roque arriving to great fanfare in the winter transfer window, he has been used sparingly by manager Xavi Hernandez with just 310 minutes amassed over 13 appearances.
Only two of these were starts for the two-goal teenager, who is still yet to make his Champions League debut and didn’t make it off the bench in a recent installment of El Clasico against Real Madrid.
Recent reports have suggested that Vitor Roque will be offered on loan to interested clubs, though the player and his entourage would prefer him to stay where he is.
Xavi appeared to open the door to a temporary assignment elsewhere in a recent press conference.
And while it remains to be seen what happens with Vitor Roque, he is reported as being “very affected” by his current plight.
Mundo Deportivo explains that while one of the youngster’s main virtues his is mental strength, “the situation he is experiencing at Barca is affecting him enormously and those closest to him admit that the footballer is not having a good time at all”.
“What’s more, although he has always stood out for his joy, he now seems sad and even at his home he is not able to disconnect from his situation in the team – even to the point of crying.”
The same anonymous sources say that Vitor Roque is angry that the club is considering “giving him up” despite offering few opportunities, and those in his circle claim that Xavi does not communicate with the player.
Coaching staff sources dispute this, but whatever is true it appears that the relationship between Vitor Roque and Xavi needs to improve if he is to take a step forward in the elite and be granted more chances to impress.
