In a recent interview with Globoesporte, Deco addressed the arrival of Vitor Roque at FC Barcelona, a topic that has generated various opinions among fans and football experts. The Blaugrana sporting director, from the Arena Deco Beach in Indaiatuba, Brazil, acknowledged that the decision to sign the young Brazilian forward in January was rushed. "He arrived in January. For me, it was a mistake. But we didn't have many alternatives. The coach wanted it that way," Deco explained, adding that the original intention was for Roque to join the club in July 2024.
Deco also highlighted that the high demands of Barcelona can be overwhelming for young players. "His first six months were not good. I think there was a lack of attention from the staff and the club to detect the problems he was having: adaptation issues, even on a mental level. We were not able to help him as he needed," admitted the former player.
The sporting director emphasized that the decision to expedite his arrival was made by coach Xavi Hernández, who was looking to secure the team's future in light of Robert Lewandowski's impending retirement. "We didn't make a mistake in the concept, because Lewandowski was then 34 or 35 years old and we were already thinking about his replacement for the future. That is the idea behind signing Vitor," Deco stated.
Regarding the comparison with Endrick, the new signing of Real Madrid, Deco commented that both players face similar challenges when arriving at such high-profile clubs. "Sometimes things don't turn out as expected. And Vitor's case was not as costly as it is said. We recovered a good part of the investment: 25 of the 30 million euros that were invested," he concluded.
The situation of Vitor Roque at Barcelona has been a hot topic, and Deco's words may offer a new perspective on the management of young talents at one of the world's biggest clubs. Over time, it is hoped that the Brazilian forward can prove his worth and meet the expectations placed upon him.