Xavi Hernandez was right and Hansi Flick doesn’t want to see him at Barcelona

Xavi Hernández has faced significant criticism over the past season for various decisions at Barcelona, with one of the most contentious being his handling of young Brazilian striker Vitor Roque. Roque joined the club last January as a high-profile signing backed by Deco, who regarded him as one of Brazil’s brightest young prospects with great potential in front of goal. However, Xavi gave him minimal playing time, a move that was met with skepticism and criticism from both fans and the media.

After Xavi’s departure and the appointment of Hansi Flick as Barcelona’s new coach, it was decided to loan Roque to Real Betis to provide him with more playing time and valuable experience under Manuel Pellegrini. The plan was for Roque to have a better chance to develop in a less pressurized environment, away from the expectations at Barcelona, while still competing in La Liga.

However, Roque’s performances at Betis have been underwhelming. He has struggled to replicate the form he showed in Brazil, with inconsistent play, poor positioning, and missed chances in front of goal. His decision-making in the penalty area has also raised concerns for Pellegrini and his staff. Despite the limited opportunities he’s had, Roque has not managed to secure a regular starting role, leading to frustration from Betis.

According to the Spanish newspaper *El Nacional*, Hansi Flick has now confirmed that he does not see a need to bring Roque back to Barcelona at this stage, reinforcing the belief that Xavi’s initial assessment of the player was correct. While Barcelona had high hopes for Roque’s potential, both Xavi and Flick agree that his current level does not meet the standards required for a club of Barcelona’s stature.

There is growing sentiment at Camp Nou that the investment in Roque may have been premature, and given his lack of progress during his loan spell at Betis, it may be time to consider a permanent departure for the Brazilian. It now seems likely that Roque’s time at Barcelona is coming to an end, a decision that ultimately validates Xavi Hernández’s judgment regarding the player.