Why Barcelona’s Vitor Roque was not called up for international duty by Brazil | OneFootball

Brazil head coach Dorival has provided an explanation for his decision not to afford Barcelona star Vitor Roque a place in his squad for the ongoing international break.

Frontman Roque, for his part, was one of the more high-profile omissions from Brazil’s latest get-together ahead of this summer’s fast-approaching Copa América.

After being afforded his senior Seleção bow last March, the 19-year-old has failed to notch a further cap in the 12 months since.

With competition for places mounting, and Real Madrid-bound sensation Endrick to contend with, Roque could in turn be forgiven for becoming increasingly concerned when it comes to his prospects on the international stage moving forward.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of his side’s friendly meeting with Spain on Tuesday, it therefore came as little surprise when his decision not to include Roque in his first-ever Brazil squad was put to the aforementioned Dorival.

And the Seleção’s headmaster went on to plead for patience in his response, adamant that, whilst adapting to life with Barcelona, Roque ‘cannot be rushed’:

“He is in a moment of adaptation, like Vinícius and Rodrygo [were],” the tactician began, as cited by Mundo Deportivo. “And he cannot be rushed.”

Dorival continued:

“We have to see his evolution until he reaches the 2026 World Cup. We have to accompany him and not harass him.”

Conor Laird