Born in 2005, he shines with Athletico Paranaense and made a memorable impact in the South American Under-20 Championship, where he contributed six goals in eight appearances.
Vitor Roque is a name that keeps popping up on transfer screens: a Brazilian striker who began turning heads early and drew interest from European clubs. Notably, Barcelona advanced negotiations to sign the young talent from Athletico Paranaense, a deal that was officially completed on July 12, 2023.
Who is Vitor Roque, the Brazilian striker linked with Barcelona: origins, birthplace, age, and journey?
Roque was born in February 2005 in Timóteo, Minas Gerais, Brazil. His full name is Vitor Hugo Roque Ferreira, though the football world mostly knows him as Vitor Roque. His dream of playing professionally began to take shape at América Mineiro when he was ten years old, and Cruzeiro did not hesitate to offer him a youth contract. In May 2021, he signed his first professional deal with the Belo Horizonte club.
A pivotal moment arrived in April 2022 when Athletico Paranaense acquired his services for five million dollars, and he agreed to a five-year contract. The youngster carried rising expectations and delivered strong performances on the stage of the 2022 Copa Libertadores, nearly guiding his club to the tournament final with his contributions.
You already know what it’s like to wear the Brazilian jersey
At just 18 years and 25 days, Vitor Roque set a record as the youngest player to debut for the Brazil national team since Ronaldo did so in 1994, at 17 years and 188 days. His exploits in the South American Under-20 Championship were equally striking, with six goals in eight matches helping Brazil secure the title in that tournament and reaffirming his status as one of the most promising young forwards in the country.
Your preferred role on the pitch
Roque is a right-footed striker who embodies a modern, flexible forward profile. He can operate on the wing on occasion, showing pace and dribbling ability, while at other times he leads the line as the central striker. Standing around 171 centimeters tall, he blends technical skill with intelligent movement to trouble defenses in multiple ways.