In August 2010, Neymar, the next Brazilian world star, entered the national team stage for the first time.
The then 18-year-old could not have been so awestruck twice in his career when the teenager walked out on the pitch in a Brazilian jersey for the first time in a friendly against the USA.
In the 90 minutes, the young Neymar looked for dribbling, and the child prodigy at the time also dared to do hook passes. Impressive, with what an aura Neymar floated across the lawn at the time.
As a conductor in Brazil’s national team, Neymar promptly scored the first goal with a header on his debut. After the 2-0 win, the rising star humbled himself alongside Copa Libertadores winner Ganso, who hugged Neymar protectively.
Will Neymar’s traded successor deliver a similarly brilliant performance next Saturday?
Roque faces Selecao debut
We’re talking about Vitor Roque, whom Brazil’s interim coach Ramon Menezes has called up for the upcoming friendly against Morocco.
“Ever since I was little I’ve always watched Neymar, he’s the figure of Brazilian football and an inspiration to me,” Roque said in an interview Sports world to.
Brazil prodigy Vitor Roque is about to make his national team debut
Brazil’s Ronaldo called Roque “Brazil’s greatest jewel”.
In terms of age, Roque is in no way inferior to his role model Neymar. If the super talent makes his debut against Morocco on Saturday aged 18 years and 25 days, Roque would be 24th in the list of youngest debutants – 20 days behind Neymar.
The youngest on the list is none other than the recently deceased Pelé.
U20 South American Championship: Roque trumps
Brazil’s next mega talent was the high-flyer at the last U20 South America Championship, scoring six goals in eight games. Roque had already attracted attention in the Brazilian U17s, where the youngster scored 21 times in 21 games.
The CA Paranaense youngster benefited at the U20s from promoter Menezes, who will make his debut as coach of the Selecao alongside Roque. “I’m very happy and a bit nervous,” admitted the 18-year-old.
Humility is the order of the day, which Neymar also had, at least in the early days. “Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Militao – they’re guys I only see on TV and today I share a wardrobe with them,” Roque marveled.
However, Roque’s record in the Brazilian league is not that of a high-flyer. In 29 games he presented himself relatively tame with five goals. Things are going better for the child prodigy from Timóteo in the cup competitions, where Roque scores every 130 minutes on average.
Betting the eternal rivals
That called FC Barcelona into action, according to the Catalan newspaper Sport to be in pole position when it comes to signing Roque. The competition between Barca and Real for Brazilian teenagers is almost a tradition.
“I’m sure that if I work well here, the step to Europe will result from it,” emphasized Roque in an interview Sport his ambitions.
The courtship for Brazil’s next wonder boy is in full swing, as confirmed by Paranaense President Mario Celso Petraglia: “We have already received many calls and offers, we will see what happens.”
Roque loves the big stage. In the Copa Libertadores, the mega-talent contributed to four goals in seven appearances. In the equivalent of the European Champions League, Roque received the title of player of the tournament in 2022.
His possible international debut will show whether Roque knows how to convince in the bright spotlight.
Neymar did it.
