Pierre Lees-Melou, Stade Brestois’ 31-year-old midfielder, was in the mixed zone after his team’s 0-2 win at Nantes this weekend on Matchday 21 of Ligue 1 2024-2025. He was asked if he particularly liked any of the players at Paris Saint-Germain, his opponent in the Champions League play-off (first leg this Tuesday at 6.45pm).
Lees-Melou “are always simple and never lose the ball.
“I like Vitinha, and the little Portuguese guy, the other little Portuguese guy… Neves, that’s it! These are players who don’t necessarily have the spotlight on them, but they’re super-efficient, super-clean and never lose the ball.
They’re not the ones who’ll be doing commas, little bridges, it’s a bit like today’s soccer, people want stats … Although Neves has a lot of stats. But yes, I like these sober players, who are always simple and never lose the ball.”
Of course, the spectacle is important in soccer, and there’s something “spectacular” about seeing Vitinha or Neves bring the ball out cleanly even in difficult situations, and always fighting to win the duel. It’s also beautiful soccer, and it’s important to underline that.
Lees-Melou is right to point out that it’s not just about assists or goals, or special technical gestures. These are only truly beautiful when they are useful. And that’s exactly how Vitinha and Neves play, to be useful to the team. To do so, they rely on their own qualities, and do so particularly well. PSG is counting on them to have a great season, and a great future too.
