Long perceived as a clean but discreet midfielder, Vitinha (25 years old) has established himself as one of the key figures at Paris Saint-Germain. Now cited as a benchmark by his opponents, the Portuguese player has even seen his status explode on the world stage. In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Tom Bischof (20 years old) acknowledges the Parisian’s impact, a symbol of a spectacular evolution.
Bischof: “He directs the entire Parisian game”
“Just a few months ago, I would have said Granit Xhaka (Editor’s note: former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder who moved to Southampton). But since our match against Paris Saint-Germain, I have to say: Vitinha! He directs the entire Parisian game. He’s always moving, he never rests, he’s always available to receive a pass. He’s really a difficult opponent to play against.”
The shift is striking. Upon his arrival at Paris Saint-Germain, Vitinha wasn’t among the players immediately identified as technical leaders. An elegant midfielder, clean in his use of the ball, but still far from being a continental benchmark. Then, PSG’s game began to revolve around him. His work rate, intelligent positioning, and consistent effort: Vitinha gradually ceased to be a mere cog in the machine and became its driving force.
This evolution isn’t just a matter of internal or media perception. When a promising young midfielder like Tom Bischof explains that his benchmark changed after playing against PSG, the message is clear. Vitinha is no longer just performing well; he is studied, anticipated, and respected.
His third-place finish in the Ballon d’Or confirms this shift: the ultimate individual recognition for a player long considered merely “functional.” Today, Vitinha embodies a modern, complete midfielder, and above all, a credible role model for a new generation. His trajectory serves as a reminder that at the highest level, consistency ultimately commands respect.
