Vitor Roque

Vitor Hugo Roque Ferreira (born 28 February 2005), commonly known as Vitor Roque, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for La Liga club Barcelona and the Brazil national team.

Early career
Born in Timóteo, Minas Gerais, Vitor Roque joined América Mineiro's youth setup at the age of ten, and impressed with the side's youth categories in 2018. In March 2019, he signed a youth contract with Cruzeiro, which led América to sue his new club in the State Labour Department; both clubs only reached an agreement in May, with Cruzeiro retaining 65 per cent of the player's economic rights, and América keeping the other 35 per cent.

Cruzeiro
On 25 May 2021, Vitor Roque signed his first professional contract with Cruzeiro. He made his professional debut on 12 October; after coming on as a second-half substitute for Bruno José in a 0–0 Série B home draw against Botafogo, he played for 18 minutes before being himself replaced by Keké, with manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo saying that he was "unable to keep the pace" but also "praising for his debut".

Already a part of the first team for the 2022 season, Vitor Roque scored his first goal on 20 February of that year, netting the club's first in a 2–2 Campeonato Mineiro home draw against Villa Nova. Three days later, he scored a brace in a 5–0 away routing over Sergipe in the Copa do Brasil.

Athletico Paranaense
On 13 April 2022, Vitor Roque signed a five-year contract with Athletico Paranaense, after the club activated his R$ 24 million release clause; it was the biggest transfer of the club's history. He made his debut for the club four days later, replacing Luis Manuel Orejuela late into a 1–0 Série A home loss against Atlético Mineiro.

Vitor Roque scored his first goal for Furacão on 29 May 2022, scoring the winner in a 1–0 away win over Cuiabá. On 7 August, he scored a brace in a 3–2 away win over Atlético Mineiro, and finished the season with 13 goals, six for Cruzeiro and seven for Athletico.

On 2 December 2023, Athletico announced that their home game against Santos would be Roque's final appearance for the club, officially confirming his arrival to Spanish La Liga club Barcelona in January.

Barcelona
On 12 July 2023, La Liga club Barcelona announced that they had reached an agreement for the transfer of Roque with Athletico, agreeing a contract until 2030–31 season with a buyout clause of €500 million. On 27 December, Roque underwent medical examinations at Ciutat Esportiva, completed digital media obligations including his first club interview. He was assigned No.19 jersey.

On 4 January 2024, Roque made his La Liga debut for Barcelona, coming on as a substitute in the 78th minute of a 2–1 comeback victory away against Las Palmas. On 31 January, Roque his first goal for Barcelona, a header in a 1–0 league win against Osasuna.

International career
On 3 March 2023, Vitor Roque was called for the first time for the Brazil national team by interim head coach Ramon Menezes to play in a friendly match against Morocco on 25 March 2023. He was substituted on in the 65th minute of the game in a 2–1 defeat at the Ibn Batouta Stadium.

Personal life
Roque married Dayana Lins shortly before he joined Barcelona. He is a Christian.

Honours
Athletico Paranaense
 * Campeonato Paranaense: 2023
 * Copa Libertadores runner-up: 2022

Brazil U20
 * South American U-20 Championship: 2023

Individual
 * Copa Libertadores Team of the Tournament: 2022
 * South American U-20 Championship Top scorer: 2023