Vitor Roque is experiencing a new peak in his career, playing for Palmeiras. Hired in February, the striker took a while to get into gear on his return to Brazilian football. “Tigrinho” spent the first 12 games without scoring, which raised doubts in the press and fans regarding the player’s quality.
The . Today, the number 9 has scored 15 goals in the Brazilian Championship and 18 in the season. In addition, he has five assists and was called up for the first time by Carlo Ancelotti for the Brazilian team.
In a press conference at Seleção, this Thursday morning (13), Vitor Roque told how Abel Ferreira, coach of Palmeiras, recovered him on his return to Brazilian football.
“When I came back from Europe, I came back in bad shape psychologically, without any confidence. When I was at Palmeiras without confidence, Professor Abel gave me confidence. Even [comigo] Well, I always talked to him: he put me in games. Having a sequence for a player is very important, to regain that confidence. I scored my goals, assists, and today I’m in the national team. It’s a dream come true,” said the attacker.
The also told how the conversation with Abel went before closing with Verdão. “Palmeiras really wanted me. I talked to the teacher. He said: ‘of course, of course, I want you’. That’s very important.”
After score two goals in Palmeiras’ victory over Santos last Thursday (6)Vitor Roque also received praise from Abel. In a press conference, the Portuguese coach even gave an explanation about Vitor Roque’s unsuccessful passage in Europe.
“The same people who criticized him are now saying that he is the best player in the world. What I do, as an educator, teacher and coach that I am, is to help him in the best way I can. But who is the real protagonist, who makes it happen, is him”, continued the Portuguese.
“We gave time for the feathers to change and for people to realize over time that, really, this player is more than what he showed at foreign clubs, because he certainly didn’t have the follow-up and care he had here”, concluded the coach.
In great phase no.
“Of course, for sure. I went to Europe very early. I learned a lot and I think the same way. Returning to Brazilian football is not a step back. Quite the opposite. Sometimes you have to take one step back to take two steps forward. Luiz Henrique was the proof that he came back, he won titles. I hope to follow the same step and win titles too”, he concluded.
Vitor Roque in the Brazilian National Team
Vitor Roque was the only Palmeiras player called up by Ancelotti this time. This is the first time that the striker has been among the Italian coach’s selection..
The last time Vitor Roque was called up to defend Amarelinha was in 2023. The athlete took the field in a friendly against Morocco.
The team’s next commitments
A began the last stage of preparation in 2025. Carlo Ancelotti’s squad began performing on Sunday (9), in London, where the team will hold two friendlies before ending the year.
The first will be against Senegal, next Saturday (15), at Emirates Stadium, at 1 pm (Brasília time). The second, against Tunisia, takes place on the 18th, at 4:30 pm (Brasília time), in Lille, France.
