da pixbet： The 19-year-old striker made a bright start to life in Catalunya, but has barely seen the pitch in recent months

da 888： There was a tiger in the Olympic Stadium. In one of the stranger signing-announcement videos in recent memory, Barcelona confirmed the arrival of teenage striker Vitor Roque – known as 'Tigrinho' – by superimposing a CGI tiger plodding its way through Montujic, the noises of the crowd rather clashing with the comical fake growls of an imagined beast. Still, it proved something of a social-media hit, and riled up a fanbase who were desperate for a January signing.

Roque, when he finally arrived following months of speculation, looked to be the galvanising presence Xavi's struggling side needed. Here was a young, exciting, Brazilian forward, a player who had turned down Real Madrid and was ready to lead Barca into the post-Robert Lewandowski era – starting immediately.

Four months later, though, and Barca fans are still waiting to get much of a glimpse of the 19-year-old. Roque has been a peripheral figure at best in Catalunya, more often a grumpy face on the Blaugrana bench than the elite striker who was compared to Ronaldo Nazario in his homeland. He was supposed to be the superstar in-waiting; instead, Roque has barely had a kick.

And now, there is talk that he could be on his way out of Barcelona – either on loan or permanently – this summer. So what's gone so wrong in such a short space of time?

FC Barcelona Web oficialCoup of a signing

Roque's transfer was completed in interesting circumstances. Barca had been among the interested parties since the start of 2023, with Roque riding the wave of excitement brought about by another top-tier Brazilian talent in Endrick. He was billed, in some corners, as the Catalan response to Real Madrid's lavish spending on 'the next Pele'. And so while Los Blancos may have gotten the raw talent with a higher ceiling, Barca – it was felt – had someone who could help them win now.

Roque had established himself as a consistent goal-scorer for top-flight side Athletico Paranaense, finding the net 17 times in the Brasilerao, and a on a further six occasions in the Copa Libertadores before his 19th birthday. Given the disparate levels of South America and Europe's top competitions, just how good Roque was remained unclear, but Barca knew they were getting a talent.

Getting his transfer over the line, however, wasn't that straightforward, as Barca's infamous financial issues got in the way. Despite verbally agreeing a deal on an initial €30 million (£25.6m/$32.2m) payment in July – with the expectation of a January 2024 arrival – it appeared that the Blaugrana couldn't make the transfer happen due to their flirtation with La Liga's strict salary limit.

Gavi's ACL tear, though, changed things, as a league loophole allowed Barca to write their injured midfielder's contract off for the season, and Roque's arrival was announced – CGI tiger and all.

AdvertisementGettyGood early signs

Roque made his Barca debut off the bench against Las Palmas on January 4, and after a handful of interesting cameos, he started to find some rhythm. He provided his first signature moment on January 31, as he netted a well-taken winning goal to save Barca from embarrassment against Osasuna. "Goal-scorers depend a lot on goals and he needed it. I think he has freed himself," Xavi said post-match.

The youngster provided again four days later – albeit under strange circumstances, as Roque turned in an action-packed, 13-minute cameo against Alaves. He came off the bench in the 59th minute, scored Barca's third goal of the game in the 63rd, before picking up an ill-advised booking in the 67th, which in turn led to him being sent off in the 72nd for a harsh second booking.

GettyBack on the bench

Since then, Roque has been a peripheral presence for the Blaugrana. The Brazilian has fed off scraps and brief substitute appearances, as he has been barely used while Xavi's side stagger to the end of their season. He has made just six appearances since returning from suspension on February 17, and although two of those games saw him named in the starting line up, he was deployed rather out of position in both – stuck awkwardly out wide in a system that doesn't suit him.

Roque certainly hasn't been helped by late-season surges from both Lewandowski and Raphinha – who have suddenly started finding the net when all hope of silverware has gone. Still, the teenager can't get a kick, which at a time when Xavi should be looking ahead to next season and giving young players experience is concerning.

GettyWar of words

Roque – or, more accurately, his entourage – haven't helped his case. His agent, Andre Cury, has played chief antagonist in recent weeks, spreading claims of a breakdown in the relationship between Xavi and his client.

"No one understands why Xavi doesn’t play him and doesn’t even speak to Vitor, it’s not right," he said on Spanish radio. "We will discuss his future with Barca soon. We chose Barca because Vitor loves the club, imagine that we really had other proposals that gave us twice as much."

Others have weighed in, including Barca legend Rivaldo, who vouched for the young forward. "I think Barcelona didn't know how to give him more opportunities and he's a good player, he has a future. From the outside I don't know exactly what happened and I don't know what his day-to-day in training is like to see if he deserved a chance. But we know what he did at Athletico Paranaense, and the Brazilian Championship season he had," he told .

Meanwhile, Roque's girlfriend has sent off a stream of cryptic tweets, mocking Xavi's decision to bench the striker – and even appearing to celebrate Barca's loss to Girona when Roque didn't play.