Vitor Roque Opens Up About Struggles at Barcelona and Finding Happiness at Real Betis
It’s not every day you hear a young footballer admit they almost gave it all up to retreat to a quiet life, but that’s exactly what Vitor Roque revealed in a candid interview with ESPN. The Brazilian teenage forward, who joined Barcelona in January from Athletico-PR for an initial €35 million ($39 million), shared how his dream move to Europe quickly turned into a nightmare.
“The most difficult moment was the one I went through there at Barcelona,” Roque said. “But thank God, I had my family by my side. If you’re not happy, if you don’t have confidence, things won’t go well.”
Roque’s struggles at Barça were so intense that he considered walking away from football altogether. “Sometimes I would talk to my mother and say, ‘I don’t need any of that, I need to be happy, which is the most important thing,’” he admitted. “But sometimes you have to go through things like this to learn, to overcome, and to move on.”
From Farm Life to Football Stardom
When asked if he seriously thought about quitting, Roque didn’t hold back. “Yes. I thought I want to go to the farm there [in Brazil] and be calm, without anyone worrying me, because sometimes it’s difficult… a lot of pressure,” he said. “But it’s just about moving forward, having mental strength, continuing to work with great humility, and things turning out well.”
Barcelona had high hopes for Roque, even inserting a €500 million release clause in his contract. The club saw him as a future star after his impressive performances at Athletico-PR and with Brazil’s youth teams. But the transition to one of the world’s biggest clubs wasn’t as smooth as he had hoped.
“The truth is that I arrived [at Barcelona] very happy,” Roque said. “Fulfilling my childhood dream, which was always my dream to be there, to be experiencing Champions League moments, to be wearing this shirt. When I got there, I realized my dream of playing in Europe.”
Pressure, Anxiety, and Lessons Learned
Despite his excitement, Roque struggled to make an impact. He scored just two goals in 16 appearances, most of which were as a substitute. With veteran Robert Lewandowski firmly established as Barcelona’s No. 9, Roque found himself on the sidelines more often than not.
“I already had a lot of anxiety about making things work out,” he said. “I think what created the pressure was the price they paid for me, which was a very expensive investment in recent years. I wasn’t completely ready to resolve the situation or to help the team in the way I wanted. I would have to have time to adapt, have time to get used to the players, the club, and it didn’t turn out the way I liked. And it serves as a learning experience for the next season.”
Roque described his time at Barcelona as a “learning curve” and said he’s taking valuable lessons from the experience. “The biggest lesson was knowing that things pass and enduring the process, which is not easy,” he said. “If I want to reach my biggest goal, I need to know how to endure the process, to know how to be aware that everything will pass, to continue working for yourself.”
Finding Joy and Confidence at Real Betis
Now on a season-long loan at Real Betis, Roque seems to have rediscovered his love for the game. He’s scored five goals in 17 appearances and feels at home with his new team. “Happiness first, and confidence,” he said when asked what he’s regained at Betis. “From the first day I stepped foot here at Real Betis, I felt like it was a family. I’m having my opportunity, I’m trying to do things in the best way, and I’m trying to help the club even more.”
Betis has the option to extend Roque’s stay for another season or make his move permanent next summer. But for now, the young forward is focused on the present. “Step by step,” he said. “My biggest aim is to have an excellent season here at Betis, help the team as much as I can with goals, assists, fighting for every ball. And God willing, I can also make the national team, which is one of my biggest dreams.”
Looking Ahead to a Special Match
Roque is gearing up for a special match this Saturday when Betis takes on Barcelona. “It’s a team that has proven to be one of the best in the world, both in the Champions League and La Liga,” he said. “It will certainly be a special match.”
He’s also looking forward to reuniting with fellow Brazilian Raphinha, who has been thriving at Barcelona this season. “He helped me a lot, since when I arrived,” Roque said. “He’s a guy that people doubted a lot, and today he shows that he can do what he did at Leeds before. And he’s a guy that can help any team in the world. And he’s demonstrating that today at Barcelona, and I’m very happy for him.”
As for his own future, Roque is leaving it in the hands of fate. “Only God knows what will happen in the future,” he said. For now, he’s focused on enjoying his football and proving his worth at Betis.
Originally Written by: Sam Marsden
