SUMMARY
- Amid Barcelona's struggles, the club manager Xavi receives a warning.
- Due to a lack of playing time, striker Vitor Roque is unhappy at the Catalan club.
Soccer agent Andre Curry has launched a scathing criticism against FC Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez over the unfair treatment meted out to his agent, Vitor Roque. Roque, who is one of the most promising talents in Brazilian soccer, was signed by FC Barcelona earlier this year. However, since his arrival, Roque’s Barcelona dream hasn’t gone exactly according to the plan.
Vitor Roque completed a $32 million move from the Brazilian club Athletico Paranaense to FC Barcelona in January 2024. While Roque was initially supposed to arrive next season, Barcelona midfielder Gavi’s long-term injury opened up a place in the club’s squad which led to Roque’s early arrival. Although, despite Roque’s highly-anticipated arrival, the Brazilian is yet to find regular game time.
🔵🔴🇧🇷 Vitor Roque’s agent Cury: “It’s not logical to sign a Brazilian international, bring him here and start playing him from the first day – then another game and then no more…”.
“Then he scores two goals and then… disappeared”.
“Xavi does NOT even talk to the boy”. pic.twitter.com/8UfGKGE756
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 6, 2024
Roque has managed to mark just 13 appearances for the club, scoring two goals. The ex-Paranaense star’s lack of game time has left him frustrated, leading to an outburst from his agent, Andre Curry. As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, Curry stated in an interview that Xavi has been treating Roque unfairly. He said, “Xavi does NOT even talk to the boy.”
Curry admitted that a player like Vitor Roque who has arrived from Brazil to a club like FC Barcelona needs game time to adapt to the new surroundings. Over the last few weeks, Xavi has very rarely played Roque and has even chosen La Masia talent Marc Guiu over the Brazilian. While there hasn’t been any official statement from the club or Xavi, Roque’s future at the club currently remains hanging by a thread.
Vitor Roque’s agent issues a warning to FC Barcelona
Andre Curry also issued a warning to FC Barcelona and manager Xavi Hernandez after Vitor Roque’s continued lack of game time. There have been reports that the Catalan club plans on loaning out Roque next season to let the player find his feet. However, Curry rubbished these reports and stated that the only Roque leaves the club will be on a permanent move.
🚨🇧🇷 Vitor Roque’s agent Cury: “He will not leave on loan. If he leaves, it will be on permanent transfer”.
“No one understands why Xavi doesn’t play him and doesn’t even speak to Vitor, it’s not right”.
“We will discuss his future with Barça soon”, told RAC1. pic.twitter.com/UKKX5DN1zL
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 5, 2024
Curry said, “He will not leave on loan. If he leaves, it will be on permanent transfer.” Nevertheless, Curry also disclosed that the only reason Roque arrived at FC Barcelona despite better offers from other clubs was because of his love for the Spanish giants. Curry did reveal that there will be talks with the club officials soon in the near future to discuss and find a solution regarding Roque‘s future.
Vitor Roque gets compared to Real Madrid star after struggles at FC Barcelona
Meanwhile, Andre Curry also drew comparisons between Vitor Roque and Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. Curry said, “Look at Vinicius Jr at Real Madrid, it took two years and a half to see his quality… let Vitor play.” Curry’s statements do make sense since Vinicius Jr., who can now rightly be addressed as one of the best soccer stars in the world, had a hard time during his first few seasons at Real Madrid’s first team.
While there was never any doubt regarding Vinicius‘ talent, the Brazilian struggled in some aspects like his finishing and decision-making. However, Vini duly repaid Real Madrid’s patience and even scored the winner in the 2022 Champions League final. Comparing Vinicius Jr. with Roque, Andre Curry demanded a similar treatment from Xavi towards the latter.
🔵🔴 Vitor Roque’s agent Cury: “It would be nice if he played some full matches. Xavi must show confidence to an important asset of the club…”.
“He wants to show his quality. Look at Vinicius Jr at Real Madrid, it took two years and half to see his quality… let Vitor play”. pic.twitter.com/oOx8ZIR5Fc
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 6, 2024
Curry even claimed that Roque could have made a difference in the second leg of the UCL quarterfinal defeat against PSG. Curry urged Xavi to show his trust in the 19-year-old Brazilian forward and asked the club to take care of Roque who will be an important asset to the club. With just four games remaining this season, Xavi Hernandez could hand Roque some more minutes before the end of the season.
