FC Barcelona bought several high-quality players during the summer transfer window. Celebrated veterans like Ilkay Gundogan and Joao Cancelo were brought in, while some exciting youngsters like Joao Felix were also incorporated into the squad.
However, the most exciting of signings that the club made during the summer was that of the Brazilian prodigy, Vitor Roque. The youngster has been shining with his club, Athletico Paranaense, and the youth levels of Brazil’s national team for several months and has enjoyed an elongated run of form.
Roque suffers a serious injury
The Catalans were able to beat other teams to Roque’s signature this summer, as the club paid Paranaense €30 million upfront and can further pay another €31 million in variables. Everything up to now indicated that Barcelona has got a brilliant deal and signed one of the most promising players currently.
However, the club got alarming news yesterday as it was reported that Vitor Roque had suffered an injury in his latest outing with his club and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher. The optics indicated that the injury was severe one and could keep the player out for three months.
Now, Athletico Paranaense has released an official statement about Roque’s injury, which goes as:
“Vitor Roque underwent tests this Friday, after spraining his right ankle suffered in the match against Internacional. With imaging tests and evaluation by the club’s Medical Department, a ligament injury to the syndesmosis of the right ankle was found, without the need for surgical intervention. Vitor Roque has already started treatment at CAT Caju.”
Thus, while the player has suffered a serious injury, the silver lining here is that he would not have to undertake surgery in order to recover completely, which was being considered as a strong possibility earlier. Furthermore, Fabrizio Romano has also confirmed that Roque’s current club Athletico Paranaense expects the player to recover in 30-40 days.
The doctors at FC Barcelona are attentive to the situation of the youngster, who is expected to join the Catalans in January next year. This injury is definitely a setback for the youngster who has been playing at a high level for his club and will have to spend a significant time on the sidelines and then pick up his form once again to get going at Barcelona.