Why does Barcelona want to buy Brazil's "new Ronaldo" at such a price?

 Why does Barcelona want to buy Brazil's "new Ronaldo" at such a price?

Vitor Roque(Twitter)

Brazilian football is going through a tough time. After the disappointment in the Qatar World Cup, even the five-time world champions are emulating the failures of their counterparts. They have been defeated by teams like Morocco and Senegal since last December. To add to their woes, not a single coach has been able to complete their full term even after the World Cup. In such circumstances.

Brazil desperately needs some new inspiration. Vinicius Junior and Rodrigo have shown glimpses of their potential. Now there are talks of Roque joining the team from within. Barcelona is prepared to spend 35 million euros for him. But what does an 18-year-old Roque have that convinces Barcelona to invest such a large amount of money? In the search for a new star in Brazilian football, who could potentially fill the void left by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, many see shades of the Brazilian legend Ronaldo 'Phenomenon' within Roque. And Roque's dream is to play alongside Neymar.

Vitor Roque

Many had sought after Ronaldo before him, but no one could reach him until the very end. Now the question arises: Can Roque position himself as Ronaldo's successor? The answer to that question was unveiled in due course. However, the reality is that Roque has already linked himself to Ronaldo's name by showcasing his youthful talent. Let's discover the extent of that glimpse this time.

Every year, talented young individuals from the upper echelons of Brazilian football migrate to Europe. European clubs harbor a great interest in them due to their skills, speed, and potential. However, not everyone can prove their worth. Some derail prematurely, while others may start strong but struggle to maintain their momentum.

Roque is being compared to Ronaldo Nazario(Getty)

On the other hand, some may only display a fraction of their potential. Only a select few possess the ability to become the likes of Neymar, Ronaldinho, or Ronaldo. Roque is the latest Brazilian talent to be seen at this level. He sees an opportunity to reach top clubs like Barcelona with shades of Ronaldo's game.

Roque commenced his journey with Cruzeiro, a Brazilian club. At the age of 16, he netted his debut goal for the club. He impresses with his ball control, mastery of the Cruyff turn, skillful stepovers, and mesmerizing dribbling. While he may not exactly emulate a phenomenon, he has already left an imprint on many aspects. Hence, it doesn't take long for comparisons to arise between him and the phenomenon.

Roque hails from a middle-class family in the city of Timoteo, located in southern Brazil. His father, an aspiring footballer, played in the defensive midfield position. Even though he may not have excelled in football himself, he recognized his son's talent and provided him with opportunities to flourish. Roque has proven himself to be a natural and creative footballer right from the start. At the age of 10, he joined America Mineiro's football academy.

Subsequently, in 2019, he joined Cruzeiro. After only two seasons in the club's youth team, he was crowned as a first-team player in 2021. Initially, he played as a defensive midfielder, following in his father's footsteps, but gradually transitioned to an attacking position. Ultimately, he settled as a striker. Now, Roque's preference lies in scoring goals. He has also etched his name in Brazilian football history while wearing the national jersey. After his coronation against Morocco, Roque became the youngest player in this century to receive such an honor.

Roque signed his first professional contract with the Roque Club in May 2021 on the cruise ship itself. Just nine months later, he scored his first goal for the main team. In April 2022, within 16 matches, Roque scored six goals for the team. Impressed by his talent, Atletico Paranaense broke their transfer record in April last year, paying €4.4 million to bring Roque to their club. It was a challenging journey for him to establish himself in this club, but every time he stepped on the field, he proved himself.

In the 2022 season, Roque scored 7 goals and provided 3 assists, including a goal in the Copa Libertadores quarter-final. He also regularly played for Brazil's senior team during the same period. Brazilian football pundits at that time jokingly called him the "new Ronaldinho" due to his performances.

News of his talent spread quickly from Latin America to Europe. Even before August, La Liga and Premier League clubs began to compete for his signature. Roque's exceptional skills and abilities, especially his physical prowess and technical proficiency, make him successful in modern football. He possesses the ability to control the ball amidst pressure and outmaneuver markers. His finishing skills with his right foot and intelligence inside the box are also magical. It's not just on the ground; he excels in handling the ball in the air as well. Although primarily a right-footed player, he can adapt and perform effectively with his left foot if necessary. Additionally, he is capable of passing, playing as a winger, and delivering excellent crosses.

Despite possessing all these qualities, there are still areas where Roque can improve to reach his full potential. Particularly, he needs to mature in decision-making and adapt his playing style based on the match situation. However, if he joins a club like Barcelona, these challenges will be overcome relatively quickly. Everything is ready for Roque except for his dream move. Now, it's just a matter of time until he finds his perfect match.