Jordi Cruyff urges Barcelona to keep faith with 19-year-old striker, uses Vinicius Junior as an example

Earlier this week, Barcelona sporting director Deco confirmed that he still has faith in Vitor Roque to become a success at the Catalan giants. The 19-year-old striker had a difficult start to life at the club, and during the summer, he was sent on loan to fellow La Liga side Real Betis, where he began to come into his own.

Ansu Fati's injury will keep him out until at least January, making a winter transfer unlikely. Barcelona had been open to a move to give him more playing time, with clubs such as Sevilla and Fenerbahce interested. @sport

— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) November 14, 2024

It is not only Deco who has faith in Roque, but also Jordi Cruyff, former director of football at Barcelona. Ace for Sporthe asked for patience with the teenager.

“I said it before very subtly, being a coach here is very complicated. You have to be patient, especially when you start a new project, when a new foreign boy comes. I still remember the first years of Vinicius at Real Madrid – the same happens in Barcelona and maybe there would not be so much patience. Real Madrid had, and in the end, they have a differential player.”

It was obvious that Roque would not hit the ground running immediately Barcelonaand the loan move to Betis was probably the best for all parties. It will be interesting to see how his situation is managed from next summer, when he is scheduled to return to Catalonia.