Vitor Roque and other Brazilian signings that disappointed at Barça

FC Barcelona finalized the transfer of Vitor Roque to Palmeiras on Friday, a move with which the club hopes to recover 100% of the money invested in the 20-year-old forward in 2023, when they agreed to pay 30 million euros upfront to Athletico Paranaense. The signing of 'Tigrinho' generated excitement at Can Barça, but the Brazilian barely played 16 matches (2 as a starter) in his first semester with the Blaugrana team.

Later, with the arrival of Hansi Flick, the player from Timóteo could not take advantage of the preseason to convince the German coach and had no choice but to go on loan to Betis. Six months later, Palmeiras appeared with 25.5 'kilos' fixed plus another 5M € in variables, and Barça did not hesitate to send him back to his country. Thus, Roque concluded a brief stint in Barcelona and joins the list of players born in Brazil who, unfortunately, disappointed upon their arrival in LaLiga.

Rochemback, Geovanni, Malcom... Other Brazilians with an 'express' stint at Barcelona

In the 21st century, Barça had the luxury of counting on stars like Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Neymar Jr., a legacy that Raphinha is now trying to follow. However, there were also other players from the five-time world champions who turned out to be a complete fiasco for the culés, with brief and disappointing stints. In the summer of 2000, Rivaldo, then the team's '10', recommended the signings of Luciano da Silva 'Triguinho' (midfielder) and Marcelo (defender). The former barely played a friendly, and the defender left with only two official appearances to his name.

The following year, with a better profile, Fabio Rochemback and Geovanni Deiberson arrived. Barça spent 33 million euros on both midfielders, and they barely stayed two years with the team. Rochemback was eventually sold to Middlesbrough for just 1.5 'kilos', while Deiberson left with a free transfer to Benfica. These were the 'dark years' of Joan Gaspart's presidency.

Later, between 2008 and 2009, Henrique (defender) and Keirrison (forward) would arrive. The former cost 8 million and never debuted with Pep Guardiola's team. The forward left a balance of 14 'kilos' spent without even being presented as a reinforcement. Five years later, Douglas Pereira arrived. The full-back at least played 8 official matches and had the luxury of winning the treble in 2015. After two seasons, he alternated several loans until his contract was terminated.

Malcom, the case most similar to Vitor Roque

In 2018, another winger, Malcom, arrived, who after just one season left for Zenit for 41 million euros, mirroring what happened with Vitor Roque, as he did not generate losses for the club. And in 2020, it was the turn of Matheus Fernandes. The midfielder cost 8.6 million, only played 17 minutes in a Champions match in 2021, and was released in the summer of that year. In the end, Barça had to compensate him with 700,000 euros.

In between, there were other fiascos like Philippe Coutinho and Arthur Melo, but both had more appearances with the Blaugrana shirt, and their operations were much more complex, with 'Cou's' being the most ruinous for the culés' finances (costing 135M € in 2018 and leaving for Aston Villa for 20M € in 2018).