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Vitor Roque’s redemption arc guiding Palmeiras’ double charge

Vitor Roque’s redemption arc guiding Palmeiras’ double charge

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Not so long ago, the 20-year-old hailed as Brazil’s next great striker was at Barcelona, struggling to adapt to a new club, culture, and league, crying on the training ground as the pressure and frustration reached a boiling point.

By Alex Roberts

Twenty-one goals and six assists in his 45 games for Athletico Paranaense in 2023 piqued the interest of Europe’s elite, but it was the bright lights of Barcelona that appealed the most, with Vitor Roque joining for a reported fee of €40 million including add-ons.

Barca thought they had their Robert Lewandowski replacement in house, no need to worry about what would happen a few years down the line when the legendary Pole would retire or leave to enjoy the twilight of his career in a less stressful environment.

It didn’t work out that way, though. The deal to sign him was rushed, Barcelona were haunted by Real Madrid’s transfer success in Brazil, signing Rodrygo, Vinicius Júnior, and Endrick ahead of the Catalan side, who’s financial struggles had left them falling behind.

So, rather than join in the summer of 2024 as initially planned, Roque was brought in mid-season with his fellow Barcelona forwards struggling for goals under Xavi. The midfielder wasn’t particularly involved in the deal but wasn’t averse to having another option up top.

He landed in Barcelona in December 2023, and the fans were sold a dream. Very quickly the cracks started to show, and Xavi had doubts about his quality as Roque played 353 minutes for Barcelona across 14 games, scoring two goals off the bench.

Roque’s recent season summary

Hansi Flick came in and gave everyone at the club a clean slate, with many expecting Roque to be a player who benefited from a slight shift in style. Instead, he was shipped out to Real Betis on loan in August.

His form at Villamarin Stadium was better, scoring seven goals in 33 appearances across all competitions, but he still struggled with the pace of the game in Spain and with his link-up play.

His season-long loan was cut short in February when Palmeiras came in. Now, he’s back in his homeland, leading Palmeiras’ charge against Flamengo in the battle to win a historic double, with the two sides level on points in the Serie A and due to face-off in the Copa Libertadores final on 29 November.

The title race in Brazil

Palmeiras went all in on Roque, splashing a reported €25.5m on the striker, making him the most expensive signing in South American football history. His return to Brazil was heralded as the start of a new chapter, not necessarily the end of one in Europe.

He had a slow start. Actually, that’s an understatement, Roque had a terrible start, failing to score or even provide an assist in his first 12 games for the club, and whispers that he was a flop were already starting to circulate.

The striker had a little hot streak just ahead of the Club World Cup, scoring in three consecutive games, including the winners in 1-0 wins over Vasco de Gama and São Paulo, before going another 11 games without a goal.

Finally, it all just clicked. Now, Roque is one of the most in-form strikers on the planet with 16 goals and five assists in 23 games since the start of August, filling the void left by fellow wonderkid Estêvão who is now ripping it up at Chelsea.

Under the tutelage of Abel Ferreira, Palmeiras have become a South American superpower, winning two Serie As, three Paulista A1s, and a Supercopa do Brasil domestically, while also claiming two Copa Libertadores’ in his five years at the club.

Tactically, the Portuguese boss is pretty conservative, emphasising player roles and responsibilities, both with and without the ball, with a focus on high-pressure, possession-based play and adapting formations like the 3-4-3 or 4-2-3-1 to control the game

He wants his sides to force turnovers through a high press, stretching the play to create overloads using wing-backs, and maintaining a compact defensive structure to close the centre.

Roque has largely been utilised as a lone striker since he joined Palmeiras, although Ferreira has dabbled with a 4-4-2 for the past two games against Santos and Mirassol, playing Flaco López beside him.

The striker dominates his side’s attacking stats in the league, leading the way in goals (16), goals per 90 mins (0.75), xG (12.4), shots on target per 90 (1.8), and chances created (33), along with others that are a little more convoluted.

Roque’s shot map (league games only)

Overperforming his xG by nearly four goals does beg the question whether his form is sustainable or not, but he won’t care right now, Roque is finally brimming with confidence and loving his football again.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow the run in of the Brazilian league season on FotMob during the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, xG, and player ratings, where available. Download the free app here.

Vitor Roque’s redemption arc guiding Palmeiras’ double charge

Not so long ago, the 20-year-old hailed as Brazil’s next great striker was at Barcelona, struggling to adapt to a new club, culture, and league, crying on the training ground as the pressure and frustration reached a boiling point.

By Alex Roberts

Twenty-one goals and six assists in his 45 games for Athletico Paranaense in 2023 piqued the interest of Europe’s elite, but it was the bright lights of Barcelona that appealed the most, with Vitor Roque joining for a reported fee of €40 million including add-ons.

Barca thought they had their Robert Lewandowski replacement in house, no need to worry about what would happen a few years down the line when the legendary Pole would retire or leave to enjoy the twilight of his career in a less stressful environment.

It didn’t work out that way, though. The deal to sign him was rushed, Barcelona were haunted by Real Madrid’s transfer success in Brazil, signing Rodrygo, Vinicius Júnior, and Endrick ahead of the Catalan side, who’s financial struggles had left them falling behind.

So, rather than join in the summer of 2024 as initially planned, Roque was brought in mid-season with his fellow Barcelona forwards struggling for goals under Xavi. The midfielder wasn’t particularly involved in the deal but wasn’t averse to having another option up top.

He landed in Barcelona in December 2023, and the fans were sold a dream. Very quickly the cracks started to show, and Xavi had doubts about his quality as Roque played 353 minutes for Barcelona across 14 games, scoring two goals off the bench.

Roque’s recent season summary

Hansi Flick came in and gave everyone at the club a clean slate, with many expecting Roque to be a player who benefited from a slight shift in style. Instead, he was shipped out to Real Betis on loan in August.

His form at Villamarin Stadium was better, scoring seven goals in 33 appearances across all competitions, but he still struggled with the pace of the game in Spain and with his link-up play.

His season-long loan was cut short in February when Palmeiras came in. Now, he’s back in his homeland, leading Palmeiras’ charge against Flamengo in the battle to win a historic double, with the two sides level on points in the Serie A and due to face-off in the Copa Libertadores final on 29 November.

The title race in Brazil

Palmeiras went all in on Roque, splashing a reported €25.5m on the striker, making him the most expensive signing in South American football history. His return to Brazil was heralded as the start of a new chapter, not necessarily the end of one in Europe.

He had a slow start. Actually, that’s an understatement, Roque had a terrible start, failing to score or even provide an assist in his first 12 games for the club, and whispers that he was a flop were already starting to circulate.

The striker had a little hot streak just ahead of the Club World Cup, scoring in three consecutive games, including the winners in 1-0 wins over Vasco de Gama and São Paulo, before going another 11 games without a goal.

Finally, it all just clicked. Now, Roque is one of the most in-form strikers on the planet with 16 goals and five assists in 23 games since the start of August, filling the void left by fellow wonderkid Estêvão who is now ripping it up at Chelsea.

Under the tutelage of Abel Ferreira, Palmeiras have become a South American superpower, winning two Serie As, three Paulista A1s, and a Supercopa do Brasil domestically, while also claiming two Copa Libertadores’ in his five years at the club.

Tactically, the Portuguese boss is pretty conservative, emphasising player roles and responsibilities, both with and without the ball, with a focus on high-pressure, possession-based play and adapting formations like the 3-4-3 or 4-2-3-1 to control the game

He wants his sides to force turnovers through a high press, stretching the play to create overloads using wing-backs, and maintaining a compact defensive structure to close the centre.

Roque has largely been utilised as a lone striker since he joined Palmeiras, although Ferreira has dabbled with a 4-4-2 for the past two games against Santos and Mirassol, playing Flaco López beside him.

The striker dominates his side’s attacking stats in the league, leading the way in goals (16), goals per 90 mins (0.75), xG (12.4), shots on target per 90 (1.8), and chances created (33), along with others that are a little more convoluted.

Roque’s shot map (league games only)

Overperforming his xG by nearly four goals does beg the question whether his form is sustainable or not, but he won’t care right now, Roque is finally brimming with confidence and loving his football again.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow the run in of the Brazilian league season on FotMob during the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, xG, and player ratings, where available. Download the free app here.