Barcelona loanee elated after scoring first goal for new club – ‘Never imagined…’

Having left FC Barcelona to join Real Betis on a loan deal this past summer, Vitor Roque scored his first goal for his new club last night.

Indeed, the 19-year-old striker, who enjoyed a fruitful international break scoring a brace for Brazil Under-20 against Mexico, carried that form to La Liga, finding the back of the net as Betis beat Leganes 2-0.

Roque was making only his second appearance for Betis, his first at their home ground, and made it count, scoring from point-blank range by pouncing on a rebound.

The 19-year-old was ecstatic after he scored as he celebrated with limitless joy, kissing the Real Betis badge on his shirt, before kneeling on the pitch, pointing his fingers to the sky and pulling out his customary ‘tiger’ gesture.

Roque elated

Roque, who admitted recently to having had a very difficult time at Barcelona, was on cloud nine after scoring his first goal for Real Betis, that too on his home debut.

Speaking after the game, the Brazilian ace said: “I am very happy. I never imagined making my debut and scoring a goal and I’m very happy.”

Thanking the Betis supporters for the reception they gave him after the goal, he added: “The reception was very good, thanks to the fans and to God. I’m very happy. It’s a dream come true.”

Praise from Pellegrini

Meanwhile, Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini also praised Roque for his performance against Leganes, highlighting that the youngster put on a good display despite having had little rest following his travels to South America.

“He is a powerful player, who goes quickly into space. The goal is the typical goalscorer’s goal, the rebound that is pending, the great goalscorers have always come off rebounds,” Pellegrini began.

“He scored because he believed until the end, so I was happy for him because he came with two games in Brazil with jet lag, a time difference, so I think 30 minutes for him and Gio [Lo Celso] was more than enough,” he added.

With Roque seemingly finding his goalscoring form over the past week, he will be eager to build on it and show his full potential after a disappointing first six months in Spain.

Source: SPORT