Who can stop Vitinha? Author of a historic quadruple with Paris Saint-Germain and freshly titled during the League of Nations with Portugal, the native of Vila Das Aves landed on American territory with full confidence. Once again aligned in the eleven of Luis Enrique for the entrance to PSG at the Club World Cup, the Portuguese international (29 selections) finally confirmed his incredible dynamic during the victory of his family against Atlético de Madrid (4-0). Standed alongside Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves in the midfield, the Parisian number 17 was quick to illustrate on the lawn of the pink Bowl de Pasadena.
A new masterclass
In a sentinel role, the former Porto player was, in fact, one of the great craftsmen of Parisian domination. Solid in the duel, precise in the transmission and always as intelligent in the orientation of the game, the one that is nicknamed “Viti” has constantly taken the best on the Madrid circles, unable to compete with dominating reds and blue in all sectors of the game. In real metronome, the Lusitanian crack shone even a little more just before the break by offering the goal of the new European champions.
On a flash of PSG after a loss of ball from the Colchoneros, the Portuguese midfielder projected himself, took advantage of the calls of his partners and finally deceived Oblak of a powerful strike of the right (45+2nd). Always as impacting on the return from the locker room despite the suffocating heat, Vitinha finally concluded this shock with 98.3% of successful passes – the best percentage for a middle of PSG having attempted at least 100 TCC passes from Leandro PARDES in March 2022 (99% against Bordeaux in Ligue 1) – 125 touched balloons, 2 interceptions and a title of man of the match. Credited with an 8 by the FM editorial staff, the right-hander of 1m72, which will have played the entirety of this first meeting, thus confirmed its status of one of the very best field environments in the world.
Asked at the Dazn microphone after the meeting, Vitinha logically did not hide her joy. “We had good sensations despite the conditions, the heat, because it is very hot. It's really difficult to play with this condition. For them, it was difficult too, maybe even even more because they did not have the ball. This is what we tried to do, have control of the match, have the ball, make them run and have occasional occasions. I think we could still have scored. We are very happy with the result “first launched the PSG factor X before returning to its personal trajectory.
The fabric of a future Ballon d'Or?
“I try to recover as much as possible, to sleep well and to use everything we have to recover but it is also my genetics. I like to run. I like to give the solution to go to continue playing. Sometimes I'm going to die of fatigue too, but I have to continue. The penalty in Lee? We talked about it with the coach. Today was me, but I don't need a goal like an attacker. If there is a good score, we give an attacker who needs a goal like Kang-in Lee ”noted the interested party, definitely perfect in all areas.
As a reminder, if some rumors mentioned in recent hours an interest from Real Madrid, a departure from the capital's club is clearly not topical and the new sparkling service of the Portuguese can only consolidate PSG in its choice. Author of 8 goals and 3 assists in 53 matches in all competitions, the principal concerned is even considered today as a legitimate candidate in the race for the next Ballon d'Or. “I certainly don't think so, I leave that to everyone. The most important thing is the collective, and only after comes the individual ”however, had assured with humility the person concerned. An answer to his image, sober but solid, in line with his meteoric progression this season.
To enjoy this first World Cup of FIFA 2025 clubs and enjoy the Dazn experience for free, subscribe for free here.
Follow the PSG – Atlético match on Dazn.
