Vitinha, the 24-year-old Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal midfielder, spoke to RMC Sport on Tuesday evening . He spoke about his progress, his relationship with Luis Enrique, and his thoughts on the team’s ability on the European stage.
Vitinha “I have no doubts, I’m sure we can do it”.
How did you feel about being nominated for the Ballon D’Or?
“It’s an honor, it’s the first time I’ve been nominated. It’s all new to me. Of course I’m going to keep going, I know it’s difficult. But the most important thing is consistency.”
Is PSG’s squad too young to win the Champions League?
“The squad is young, but they all have this desire to play the big games. We play soccer to play and win these big games. I understand that the media talk a lot about the Champions League, that they sound the alarm when we don’t win. We’ve got 4 points, that’s normal, this type of result isn’t normal. But I have no doubt that we can do it. We’re a group with a lot of quality.”
Vitinha “performances are not alarming.”
Is PSG stronger than last season?
“Yes, but that’s normal, we’re on a progression, we’re still going to improve. And I find that in the Champions League, despite results that aren’t good, performances aren’t alarming. Except against Arsenal, where things were a little different. But we always felt we had the ability to win. We often talk about our fans wanting the Champions League, but so do we.”
Are you attached to PSG today?
“Of course, I’m a real supporter of this project. I think we’re on the right track. I’m very attached to the club with each passing year. I’m very happy here. I identify with this club. For a Portuguese, PSG is a bit in my blood.
I love the city, the house, the campus, it’s incredible. I’m not looking ahead, but in the next few years I hope to continue here. I want to stay and do new things. To win the most beautiful competition.”
Vitinha “Out of 36 teams in the Champions League, we finished in the top 4”.
What’s your relationship with Luis Enrique?
“I have nothing but good things to say about him. Individually, he’s made me progress. He’s helped me reach a level I didn’t expect to reach so soon. Collectively, when you see that we’ve won the championship, the French Cup and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, how can you say it’s been a bad season?
Out of 36 teams in the Champions League, we finished in the top 4. And that was down to a few things. For me, it was an exceptional season. So individually and collectively, I have nothing but good things to say.”
Vitinha “We’re going to play them again at the Parc and we’re going to do the same thing.”
Does he talk to you a lot individually?
“Yes, personally he talks to me a lot. And I like things to be clear. I identify a lot with his ideas for the game. Even on a human level.”
Are you satisfied with your match against OM (0-3)?
“Games like the one against Marseille are the kind of games we all want to play. For us here, it’s the same thing: we come to win, to beat them. And that’s what we’ve done. We’re going to play them again at the Parc and we’re going to do the same thing.”
