Third in the France Football Ballon d’Or rankings, Vitinha has established himself over the years as a world reference in his midfield position. Intelligent, technical, influential and decisive, the Portuguese international is the true maestro of a team from Paris Saint-Germain irresistible.
By his own admission, Vitinha could not have imagined reaching such a level when he arrived in Paris, a little over three years ago, in relative anonymity.
Vitinha, symbol of a dazzling PSG.
“I think my meeting with Luis Enrique is the turning point in my life here in Paris. He took me to another level, a level I didn’t think I’d reach, confided the Portuguese in an interview with Ici Paris ĂŽle-de-France and the Radio France Sports department. I think I showed what I can do. He loved me very much. I gained confidence and importance in the team. I started playing, it took on another dimension, I took on another dimension. I feel really comfortable, I feel in my best condition when I play under Luis Enrique. »
When Neymar paid himself Vitinha in front of Campos
One scene further illustrates the status Vitinha had during his first year in the capital. Neymar or Lionel Messi were still playing in Paris, and the two South American stars did not have much understanding with the man who was then considered a symbol of the club’s new policy.
In the spring of 2023, after a defeat in Monaco, a heated argument between Neymar and Luis Campos broke out in the locker room. Frustrated, the Brazilian then told the manager that he had made a “recruitment of second Portuguese vision”. Exiled in his country, Ney had to measure the progress made by his former teammate during the Ballon d’Or ceremony a few weeks ago…
