Having been troubled by their lack of efficiency in front of goal in recent months, Barcelona hope that things will get better in the games to come, thanks to the addition of Vitor Roque.
A deal to sign the 18-year-old was secured in the summer itself, with Barça paying €30 million, excluding add-ons, to Athletico Paranaense for his transfer.
Having let him continue in Brazil on loan for the first half of the season, the Blaugrana have welcomed him into their squad this week, with Roque completing his first training session with his new teammates on Friday.
Roque like Ronaldo, says former Athletico Paranaense director
Speaking in an interview with RAC1, Alexandre Mattos, the former sporting director of Athletico Paranaense, has tipped Vitor Roque to follow in the footsteps of Brazil legend Ronaldo and become one of the best in the world.
“He looks a lot like Ronaldo. He is explosive, he has strength, he has the ability to score goals, he has the necessary conditions to be one of the best strikers in the world,” Mattos said.
Further discussing the qualities of the 18-year-old striker, Mattos added: “He has enough qualities to be successful. He has strength, his mental side is very strong, and his goalscoring ability, too.”
Vitor Roque tipped to succeed at Barça. (Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)
Roque ready for Europe
Roque is a versatile player capable of playing out wide or as a centre-forward, but Mattos insisted that the teenager is best used as a No. 9 saying:
“He is better as a 9 because he is strong, he is always ready to score and he is a danger because he is very quick. Defences always have big worries about him.”
Claiming that he is ready for Europe despite his age, Mattos added: “Mentally he is ready to make the leap from Brazil to Europe, even though he is young. He has already played the Copa Libertadores as if he were playing at home. He is ready to play in Europe.”