Barcelona and Brazilian skills: 5 tales that led to heartbreak

Vitor Roque’s return to Brazil inside a yr of becoming a member of Barcelona is yet one more instance of a Brazilian participant struggling to depart a long-lasting impression on the membership. 

Whereas Barcelona has seen some excellent Brazilian skills shine through the years, reminiscent of Neymar, Rivaldo, and Romario, there’s an equally lengthy record of gamers from the nation who didn’t reside as much as expectations.

A number of Brazilian signings arrived with excessive hopes however in the end proved to be unsuccessful for numerous causes. 

Some barely performed, whereas others didn’t adapt to the calls for of European soccer. Right here’s a take a look at a few of the most notable circumstances the place Brazilian gamers fell brief at Barcelona.

Marcelo Anderson

In 2001, Barcelona introduced in defender Marcelo Anderson, who arrived alongside Triguinho. Each signings had been influenced by Rivaldo, who was one of many membership’s key gamers on the time. 

Nonetheless, neither managed to make an impression. Marcelo performed simply two matches within the Copa Catalunya, whereas Triguinho solely featured in a pleasant match earlier than disappearing from the membership’s plans.

Geovanni Deiberson

Barcelona paid lots for Geovanni Deiberson. (Picture by Sandra Behne/Bongarts/Getty Pictures)

Barcelona spent €18 million to signal Geovanni Deiberson in the summertime of 2001, handing him a four-year contract. The Brazilian was seen as a promising attacking choice, and there was reported curiosity from Juventus as nicely. 

Nonetheless, issues shortly went downhill for him on the Camp Nou. In his second season, he had a falling out with coach Carles Rexach, which led to him being sidelined for a lot of the marketing campaign. 

He performed solely 5 league matches that season earlier than being loaned to Benfica. By 2003, Barcelona allowed him to depart completely on a free switch to the Portuguese membership.

Keirrison

Keirrison by no means performed a sport for Barcelona. (Picture by Claudio Villa/Getty Pictures)

On 23 July 2009, Barcelona introduced the signing of Keirrison from Palmeiras in a deal value €14 million, with potential add-ons of €2 million. The striker was tied to a five-year contract, however he by no means performed a single aggressive sport for the membership. 

As a substitute, he was despatched out on a collection of mortgage strikes earlier than ultimately being offered to Coritiba in 2014, marking probably the most disappointing transfers in Barcelona’s historical past.

Henrique

Henrique was loaned to Bayer Leverkusen. (Picture by Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Pictures)

One other Palmeiras signing, Henrique, joined Barcelona in 2008 for €8 million, with a further €2 million in potential bonuses. The defender was instantly loaned out to Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. 

Very similar to Keirrison, he by no means managed to determine himself in Barcelona’s squad and was always loaned out. After a number of unsuccessful spells away from the membership, he was offered to Napoli in 2014 for €4 million, bringing an finish to his forgettable time in Spain.

Douglas Pereira

Douglas Pereira performed eight matches for Barcelona. (Picture by Jonne Roriz/Getty Pictures)

Douglas Pereira’s switch to Barcelona was one other deal that left followers puzzled. The membership paid €4 million to Sao Paulo to amass the right-back, however he barely featured within the squad. 

Over his contract interval, he was repeatedly despatched out on mortgage earlier than ultimately leaving on a free switch. He performed simply eight official matches for the membership, spending most of his time away on non permanent offers.

These circumstances spotlight how Barcelona’s historical past with Brazilian signings has been a mixture of success and failure. Whereas some gamers grew to become legends, others struggled to adapt, leaving with out making an impression.