Real Madrid News
Real Madrid target admits to idolising Cristiano Ronaldo, wants ‘dream’ Europe transfer
In a recent candid interview with Mundo Deportivo, Athletico Paranaense striker Vitor Roque has admitted that he sees Cristiano Ronaldo as an inspiration, while also revealing that he dreams of a move to Europe.
Roque is widely regarded as one of the most exciting young prospects in Brazilian football currently. Just aged 17, the striker has played an important role in his team’s progress to the Copa Libertadores final, where they will face Flamengo later tonight.
Ahead of the game, the teenage forward admitted that he dreams of winning the tournament and then moving to Europe in the imminent future.
“Of course, it’s a dream, but I have to work and work so that when that opportunity comes I’ll be ready,” Vitor Roque said.
When asked to describe himself as a player, the youngster replied: “I am a calm guy, who transforms when he enters the field. I am aggressive, I like to score goals, I like to overcome difficult things and look for challenges so that in time I can play in Europe.”
When quizzed on whom he bases his game, Roque revealed that he has always seen former Real Madrid superstar and the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, Ronaldo, as his inspiration.
“I really like Cristiano, he is an inspiration for his work, he has been an inspiration since I was a child,” he said.
Roque has already been linked with a move to Real Madrid and Barcelona, with the youngster set to turn 18 in February next year. When asked if his adulation for Ronaldo meant that he prefers Real Madrid over Barça, the forward replied:
“I have no preferences, I like all the great teams in Europe. It is a dream for any boy who plays football in Brazil to be able to make the leap to a big club in Europe.”
“I like both of them, they are two very big clubs, which are always at the top,” he further added.
It is astounding that despite being the biggest club in Spain, Real Madrid do not have many Spanish players to show for it.
Los Blancos do indeed boast of a special diversity in the dressing room, but their lack of locally trained players could pose problems according to MARCA.
The Spanish outlet confirms that UEFA does not mandate the inclusion of any minimum number of locally grown players for a club. However, the Spanish federation stipulates that a club in Spain must boast of at least eight players who meet a specific set of conditions.
Of the aforementioned eight candidates, there must be at least four players who have spent three seasons or 36 months at the club between the ages of 15 and 21.
Currently, only Nacho Fernandez, Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez, Federico Valverde, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Mariano make up the required number on that front.
The problem, however, arises with the condition for the other four players in the list of eight. RFEF stipulates that the second set of four players must have completed at least 36 months in teams attached to the federation of Spain between the ages of 15 and 21.
Only Jesus Vallejo, Alvaro Odriozola, Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos tick the aforementioned box. However, all four players have uncertain futures at the club and are well-placed to depart in the summer.
There are thus big decisions to be taken over the transfer strategy for June. Real Madrid can work ways to ship all four players out, it would require the re-integration of players like Sergio Arribas, Miguel Gutierrez or Fran Garcia to ensure the fulfilment of the criteria.
With both Vallejo and Odriozola seemingly frozen out of Ancelotti’s plans, their departures from Santiago Bernabeu appear inevitable. Thus, the management could be forced to renew one of Asensio or Ceballos come June.
