Why Vitor Roque is Abel Ferreira’s lion at Palmeiras | OneFootball

Vitor Roque’s combative streak has made him central to Palmeiras’ attack, with Abel Ferreira likening the 21-year-old to a lion after a bruising Paulista semi-final. According to Globo.com, he left it nursing knocks from persistent fouls.

In the Paulista he draws a team-high 2.25 fouls per game, just ahead of Flaco López on 2.2, ranking among the most fouled players in 2026. His pressing and tracking back have underpinned the front line.

He has been the most fouled player against Guarani, São Paulo and Vitória, and drew eight against Fluminense in Série A. That run explains Abel’s tigrinho-to-lion wordplay.

This year he has five goals and one assist. In the Brasileiro he owns the squad’s third-best tackles average at 1.75 per game, seven so far, level with Khellven and behind Allan and Piquerez.

By drawing contact he creates set pieces and penalties, as in the win over Fluminense. In the semi-final he did not score but set up Mauricio, pressed from the front and held the ball under pressure.

Abel has said Roque takes a lot of punishment, that his attributes help the side, and that coaches can maximise him by understanding and staying close. He also stressed the need for daily care from himself, Barros and the president.

Source: Globo.com