Unless fair play prevents it, Vitor Hugo Roque Ferreira (Timoteo, Brazil, February 28, 2005), better known as Vitor Roquewill reach Barça after the Barcelona club closed its transfer to Athletico Paranaense last July for 30 million fixed, including 31 in variables, and signed a contract until June 2030. Recovering from ligament damage in his left ankle a month ago, and which will keep him away from him from the playing fields for at least another month, Vitor Roque18 years old, opened the doors of his house Curitiba to MD, in the first interview he has given since moving to Barça. “I can already imagine playing the Champions and The league with the Barça”, he admitted’Tiger‘, as his father’s friends nicknamed him, whom they called ‘tiger‘because he distributed tow playing in the stocking and he really liked a song with the same title ‘tiger‘.
First of all, thank you very much for opening the doors of your home to Mundo Deportivo. How are you?
I’m very well, it’s a pleasure to talk to you here now.
Just a year ago we had an interview with you remotely. Then he was preparing to play in the final of the Copa Libertadores and a year later he was on the verge of joining Barça. A lot happened in one year, right?
Yes, a lot has happened and I am happy with what is happening. Closing the Barça signing is a source of great pride and a dream come true.
First of all, what about the damage?
I’m fine, I’m getting better, my recovery is becoming optimal. I’m still very young, so that helps a lot too.
What does your rehabilitation consist of? What do you need to do every day and what is the recovery plan?
I go to the CT (Training Center) every day, I do physiotherapy, I do two sessions and sometimes I even treat myself here at night.
And the idea is to play again with Atlético Paranaense before the end of the season or do we have to wait and think about Barça?
I have the idea to still play at Athletico. If everything goes well in recovery, I think I will play.
Deco visited him. We don’t know if he gave you positive news for the culés and for you to be sure and you will arrive at Barça in January or you have to wait until June 2024.
They talk positively that anything can happen in January, but if it doesn’t happen, go well, keep calm and focus here at Athletico.
It’s easy for you to live there with the worry that “I want to go there, but I’m not sure yet.” How would you handle that situation? I understand that it shouldn’t be easy.
Yes, yes, it’s not easy, but I always try to keep a calm mind, I try to work every day, now I’m focused on recovering from the injury. I think this is the most important thing right now.
Let’s look back for a moment. Do you remember the exact moment when your agents told you that FC Barcelona were interested in you and would try to sign you?
Yes, yes, when I received the news I was very happy. At first I didn’t believe it, but when it was discussed, that it was official, and when I saw the proposals, the discussions, I was very happy and I share with my family, everyone was very happy and excited. too.
Do you remember the day exactly?
Not specifically about the day of the day, I remember it very vaguely.
The day came for it to be official, but there was also a lot of intrigue, and along the way many teams in the Premier League, knocking on your door, even sending proposals when you signed for Barça… Were you afraid of his signing then for Barcelona club can be broken?
No, no, I always had faith that it would be Barcelona, I always had the will, it was always my dream. So, it was always clear to me that I wanted to go to Barcelona.
In other words, they can offer you all the money in the world, they can make you a statue in the stadium wherever you are, and all you want is Barça.
Yes, yes, only Barça.
And why this connection to Barça, this love for the colors of Barça?
It’s always been my dream, ever since I was little, and so has my family. Since I was little, I have always watched Barcelona games. They had Ronaldo, Romario, Neymar, also Brazilians, now there is Raphinha… I always dreamed of going to Barcelona.
Of all the players Barça have right now, is there anyone you’re most excited to be with?
Yes, Lewandowski, Raphinha, now Lamine. It will be very special to play with all of them.
At Barça he will compete with no other and no less a legend like Lewandowski. Is that an extra incentive for you to improve?
Yes, with certainty, I will share a dressing room with him and I will try to learn as much as possible from him, watching every step, every kick to learn as much as possible and enjoy him, who is a football legend.
Once it became official that Vitor Roque signed for Barça, who was the first from Barça to call him?
Before it closed, Araujo called me. First he sent a message to Canobbio – Uruguayan and teammate of Vitor at Paranaense – and told Canobbio to come to Barça: “Come to Barça, come, play with us,” he told me, and then he sent me Refinement of the message.
And what did Raphinha tell him?
That they are waiting for me and are eager to play with me. And when I arrive they will help me adapt properly.
He also called him Xavi. What did he tell you?
The first time Xavi called me with Deco and they told me that they were happy to close my signing for Barcelona and that they would help me in every way, as a coach and as a friend off the field.
If it finally comes in January, do you think that will also be positive considering the adaptation to start the next season already acclimatized?
Yes it would be great. In January it will be very good to adapt and thus start the next season well, but if that doesn’t happen, I will have a good head, calm and prepare in the best way for the next season here at Athletico.
What is your first memory of Barça?
The 6-1 comeback match against Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou. This was the meeting that marked me the most.
I understand that if you watched Barça games before, now you will be more interested. How do you see the team?
Very good, he plays well. I always accompany him from here, I try to learn as much as possible, follow every step and I always imagine myself there playing the Champions League, LaLiga, so I’m very happy for that too.
At Athletico Paranaense he was used to being sent long balls and making a living. At Barça he will have De Jong, Pedri, Gündogan, Gavi… not bad, right?
No, it’s so beautiful. Better.
In football, a priori, surrounded by good players everything is easier.
There is certainty. I’m sure the adaptation will be very easy. I will work every day to the maximum to get fit as soon as possible. Playing with the best in the world and in a club like that things will be easier in terms of adaptation.
He is only 18 years old but he is an ambitious player. What challenges does he face at Barça?
First, adapt well, then make my debut in the Champions League by scoring a goal. I think I will fulfill my dream soon.
Have you ever wondered what your first celebration in a Barça shirt would be like?
Yes, I will do the ‘Tigrinho’ gesture (laughs).
He is often compared to Ronaldo ‘The Phenomenon’. I understand that it should be a source of pride, but at the same time it should be imposing, right?
Yes, I am happy with those comparisons. He was an incredible player at Barcelona,
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
MD, at the house of Vitor Roque
Mundo Deportivo visited Vitor Roque at his residence in the city of Curitiba in Brazil.
Vitor Roque: “I always have the conviction and desire to sign for Barça”
Vitor Roque explains what Deco told him about his arrival at Barça in January
Which culé player asked Vitor Roque to sign for Barça?
Vitor Roque surrendered to Lewandowski
Vitor Roque explains how his injury happened
The Barça footballers Vitor Roque is most excited to play against
Vitor Roque’s message to the culés through MD
In the house of a very well accompanied ‘Tigrinho’
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
