Barcelona wrapped up their preseason on a sour note with a 3-0 loss to Monaco, but the real story was Vitor Roque’s absence from the match. The Joan Gamper Trophy game, usually a chance for budding stars to shine, instead cast a shadow on the Brazilian striker’s future at the club.
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Roque, who watched from the stands, wasn’t part of the squad despite being at the stadium. This decision supports an ongoing speculation about his limited role under coach Hansi Flick. Since joining Barcelona, Roque has struggled for playing time, largely appearing off the bench and never completing a full game last season.
VITOR "TIGRINHO" ROQUE SCORES HIS FIRST BARÇA GOAL! 🐅🔥 pic.twitter.com/wN8KUTd4RO
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 31, 2024
Off the pitch, Roque’s situation remains in limbo. His agent met with Barcelona’s sporting director Deco last Friday to discuss his future, with rumors of a possible loan move swirling. Yet, with the season opener against Valencia looming, Barcelona has not registered him for the upcoming La Liga season.
Adding to his troubles, Roque missed this weekend’s training due to illness, complicating his already precarious position at the club. The former Athletico-PR player, who moved to Barcelona last year in a deal potentially worth 74 million euros, finds himself at a crossroads, with his massive potential untapped and his future with the club in question.
