Barcelona flop opens up on failed stint in Spain – ‘I did not lack grit’ | OneFootball

Barcelona’s management have made many positive and questionable decisions in recent years and the entire Vitor Roque saga falls into the latter category.

The Catalans signed the Brazilian striker for a sizeable fee and refused to give him any prominence with Xavi not even having the youngster in his plans.

They then forced a departure to Real Betis on loan claiming to be giving him time to hone his skills but pushed him back to Brazil earlier this year and thereby got him off their hands entirely.

Joan Laporta and Co. did not net a significant loss from the transaction given that Palmeiras shelled out a significant sum for the recent transfer. However, it is safe to say that they have a lot to learn from how they handled the player’s situation.

Roque speaks after his move

Speaking to the media during his presentation as a new Palmeiras player, the young striker expressed his dismay over how he was treated by Barcelona and that he expected better from the Blaugrana.

Roque is back in Brazil. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

“I thought that the treatment at Barça would be different, both in the treatment and in the way of playing, as in the way of talking to me about the situation,” he said.

Quickly switching the topic, he admitted that the past stayed in the past and he looked forward to what was to come.

“But it’s over, I’m happy to have the opportunity at Betis and to wear a shirt of the national league again.”

Finally, Tigrinho insisted that his time at Barcelona and Real Betis was not a failure and that he definitely did not lack the desire to succeed.

“In my games, I did not lack grit. Maybe the technical things did not happen as they should have been given.”

Source: Mundo Deportivo