Vitinha: The Backbone of PSG and Portugal
PSG's young Portuguese midfielder, Vitinha, has dazzled Europe this season with his performances in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League under Luis Enrique. He's also Roberto Martínez's pick to steer Portugal at the upcoming EURO 2024. Recently, Vitinha was honored as an "International Talent" by the Portuguese League.
This accolade is awarded monthly by the Portuguese League's Ambassadors to highlight talents developed in Portugal who excel abroad, and Vitinha's success in French football is a prime example.
In the squad announced by the Spanish coach, Vitinha, who has earned 15 caps for the national team since March 2022, was one of the chosen ones.
At PSG, he has shared the locker room with stars like Mbappé, Messi, and Neymar. For the national team, he will be tasked with orchestrating play among stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Joao Félix.
Making His Mark Against Barcelona
The 24-year-old became a nightmare for FC Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals, helping Paris Saint-Germain overcome the Catalan club with outstanding performances, scoring a goal in both the first and second legs.
The Influence of Luis Enrique
Vitinha was already a mainstay in PSG's midfield under Christophe Galtier, but Luis Enrique opted to play him deeper, making him responsible for building play from the back.
"What motivates me is incredible because I’m doing things I didn't know I could do and that I can do very well," Vitinha told French media.
Luis Enrique praises the Portuguese midfielder, stating, "He has become one of the best midfielders in the world." Vitinha "is capable of playing in all positions: on the wing, as a central midfielder, as a number 6," and he also has "the ability to get close to the opponent's area and score goals."
"Vitinha is the perfect player for a coach like me. He doesn't lose the ball, which is exactly what we want with our style of play. He can stay between the lines, make runs, score..." mentioned Luis Enrique last March.
Another of his great achievements, as he has revealed on several occasions, has been the opportunity to share the locker room with two active legends like Messi and Cristiano.
"They are two extraterrestrials. I am one of the few who has played with both at the same time, and that makes me privileged, to be able to tell my grandchildren that I was with both, learning so much from one as well as the other," he once said at a press conference.