SUMMARY
- The striker has received a warm welcome from FC Barcelona and its fans,
- Previously, Vitor Roque was asked in a casual interview about his role model.
Vitor Roque arrives at Barcelona after completing his move from Brazilian club, Athletico Paranaense. The striker has received a warm welcome from the club and its fans, but the rivals of the Spanish club revealed an interesting observation about the Brazilian prodigy.
The Eagle-eyed fans were quick to check the digital footprint of the striker to check his allegiance in the age-old debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. On a quick search, it was quite clear that Barcelona’s newest recruit is a die-hard Cristiano Ronaldo fan.
There were two big pieces of evidence for the same that were shared by fan pages of Cristiano Ronaldo. In the first piece of evidence, Roque was asked, in a casual interview, about his role model. The Brazilian player was quick to answer Cristiano Ronaldo.
🚨Vitor Roque:
Your role model?
“Cristiano Ronaldo.”
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) December 28, 2023
In the other evidence, a 2021 tweet from the striker resurfaced, where Roque tweeted, “Please don’t compare CRISTIANO RONALDO with anyone.” Ronaldo was at Manchester United at the time. The Portuguese was enjoying the honeymoon phase of his second stint at the English club when Roque tweeted his admiration.
Barcelona’s new signing Vitor Roque is a Ronaldo fan boy. pic.twitter.com/g42iCFUztd
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) December 27, 2023
It is part of soccer tribalism to divide the new generation between Messi and Ronaldo fans. These statements often make news when a Messi fan joins a Ronaldo team or when a Ronaldo fanboy joins FC Barcelona. A similar case was observed when Jude Bellingham joined Real Madrid in the summer but was revealed to be a Lionel Messi fan before joining the Madrid side.
Roque is the latest player to face these reactions from online fans. However, these reactions are just surface-level biases. All this will go out of the window when Roque starts performing for FC Barcelona. The manager of the Spanish side has big hopes for the incoming Brazilian youngster.
Xavi hopes Vitor Roque’s signing will be at the level of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo
Vitor Roque completed a €40 million ($43.6 million) transfer to FC Barcelona, which raised some eyebrows among the fans regarding the transfer fee. The Brazilian is only 18 years old, and it is rare for Barcelona to sell out this kind of sum during their financial difficulties and stadium renovation.
However, Xavi is hopeful regarding the impact of the Brazilian striker. The Spanish manager commented on the latest Brazilian rivalry brewing in La Liga, with Endrick joining Real Madrid. Xavi stated: “Future duel between Endrick and Roque like Messi and Ronaldo? They are players with very high expectations. Let’s see. It’s too early to say it, but hopefully. Hopefully, Vitor Roque’s signing will be at the level of Messi or Cristiano”.
🎬 Vitor Roque’s first day in Barcelona! pic.twitter.com/ur9p0ULO12
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 27, 2023
Roque’s breakthrough came with Athletico Paranaense, where he scored 28 goals and 11 assists in 81 games. This incredible record in his teenage years earned him a Brazilian call-up as well as the big-money move for FC Barcelona. The striker is expected to join the training on December 29 and could make his debut for the club in early 2024.