Why Palmeiras’ historic signing of Vitor Roque might turn out to be a worthwhile investment

The Brazilian Serie A is renowned for its fierce competition, and the upcoming season is set to maintain that tradition.

After just one match into the current season, only five out of 20 teams have secured maximum points.

Palmeiras, the most decorated club in Brazilian football history with 12 league titles, failed to claim all three points in their opening fixture. However, their goalless stalemate against reigning champions Botafogo may well be viewed as a valuable point gained.

Despite finishing six points shy of the title in 2024, the statistics paint a picture of a season that can still be regarded as successful.

Palmeiras netted 60 goals, surpassing the tally of the champions and only trailing Flamengo—who finished third—by one goal.

Conceding 33 goals throughout their 38 matches was a commendable effort, surpassed only by Botafogo’s defence, and their 22 victories in the league campaign were just a single win fewer than the eventual title holders.

Estevao Willian played a pivotal role in Palmeiras’ pursuit of success, contributing 13 goals and nine assists during the 2024 season. Yet, from July this year, he will don the Chelsea jersey, continuing the legacy of Brazilian players at Stamford Bridge.

Vitor Roque Must Overcome Barcelona Misfortunes

With Willian’s departure, gaps in the squad will need to be filled, which perhaps explains Palmeiras’ acquisition of Vitor ‘Tigrinho’ Roque from Barcelona for a record €25.5 million—making it the priciest signing in South American football history.

At just 20 years old, Roque will surely be glad to return to a league where he previously thrived, scoring 12 goals and providing three assists in 25 league matches for Athletico Paranaense, earning his move to Barcelona, albeit with limited success.

His decline in form was stark: just nine goals in 40 appearances—two at Barcelona and seven while on loan at Real Betis—equates to less than one goal every four matches, a disappointing return for a forward at the top level.

While his work ethic is commendable, Roque’s pass completion rate requires attention. Even if he is primarily positioned to finish chances, his playmaking abilities have shone throughout much of his young career.

This season at Real Betis, he recorded a solid 87.5% pass accuracy in the final third; however, he plummeted to a concerning 33.3% at Barcelona.

His tally of just seven forward passes during his time at the Catalan club starkly contrasts with his previous two seasons at Athletico Paranaense, where he managed 29 forward passes in 2022/23 and 37 in 2023/24.

Despite a decline in his shot conversion rate from a peak of 23.5% in 2023/24 to 9.8% last season, his shooting accuracy continues to improve, hitting 63.6% at Betis—almost 10% higher than his previous best with Paranaense. His 26 shots on target in 26 games with Betis is an impressive statistic that bodes well for Palmeiras, who are likely to create more opportunities for the talented Roque.

His 42.9% conversion rate for big chances, along with 50 shots taken inside the box during his time at Betis, are the best figures recorded since his standout season in Brazil.

This should give Palmeiras plenty of optimism that if they can get the ball into the central areas where Vitor Roque operates, they’ll have a dangerous asset at their disposal.

Despite the disappointment of his stint at Barcelona, the experience has likely fortified his character, especially for key moments late in the season.

One area where Roque has consistently excelled is his diligence and work rate.

Vitor Roque Embracing His ‘Tigrinho’ Nickname

Vitor Roque doesn’t shy away from confrontations with defenders, a trait reflected in the number of duels he engages in for his teams.

Even without adding to his goal tally at Barcelona, he participated in 53 duels, triumphing in most, thanks to his tenacity and competitive nature.

Although combative, he isn’t dirty, as evidenced by a solitary red card in 117 fouls committed throughout his career, with even that dismissal being controversial.

He also excels at recovering the ball and regaining possession; for instance, he reclaimed the ball on 42 occasions during his stay at Betis.

Given the often rugged nature of Brazilian football, this relentless attitude should serve him well.

In summary, regardless of whether his manager, Abel Ferreira, expects a beautiful game or a gritty performance from his forward, he won’t be disappointed.

If Vitor Roque continues his upward trajectory, there’s a strong possibility that this could be Palmeiras’ lucky season, with 13 being a significant number.