Pedro Miguel Pauleta, former Paris Saint-Germain striker (2003-2008) and for a time record-holder for goals, appeared on RMC Sport this Wednesday evening. He was invited to give his perspective on the latest news from the Parisian club and its players, including Vitinha (25-year-old midfielder) and Gonçalo Ramos (24-year-old striker). The former is shining, while the latter is struggling to establish himself.
Pauleta: “The quality is there, and what’s more, they’re down-to-earth, with a huge desire to do something important.”
Any words on the win against Bayer Leverkusen?
When you play like that, with all the quality and all those goals, it’s a treat for us who love the club and for French football. It’s so important today to have a club like PSG.
Are the Portuguese players at PSG huge?
We’re lucky to have these four fantastic players in the national team and at PSG. It’s a pleasure to see players of this quality. They’re young players with tremendous ability and they’re good guys. They’re simple people who want to do something.
Their simplicity is enormous. I was lucky enough to know them from a very young age. The quality is there, and what’s more, they’re simple, with a tremendous desire to do something important. It’s a pleasure to see them. Vitinha is in fantastic form.
Pauleta: “He reminds me of Iniesta.”
Vitinha has transformed himself over the past two years. Is he the best midfielder in the world today?
Yes, I think so. There’s also Pedri, who’s at an incredible level. He reminds me of Iniesta. He doesn’t lose the ball, he’s always well positioned. When he has the ball, he can do everything. There’s no mistake. He’s confident, he feels the confidence of the team and the coach. He’s a tremendous player, that’s for sure.
João Neves forms a great trio with Nuno Mendes and Vitinha. Nuno Mendes is impressive too. Where do their technical skills come from? Whereas in France, this quality is somewhat neglected.
It’s true that his technique isn’t typical for a defender. In Portugal, we’re lucky to have at least three big clubs that work very well in training. We don’t have many players, but many have great skills. Vitinha, Neves, and Mendes are exceptional players. We’re lucky in Portugal to have many players of tremendous quality. It’s a real treat for all of us, in Portugal and at PSG.
You didn’t mention Gonçalo Ramos; he’s not a starter, but he’s contributed a lot. It’s not easy to find a player with his skills. Every time he comes on, he scores. It’s not easy being a substitute. He could play anywhere. It’s important for a great team to have players like that.
Pauleta: “He’ll be a player who might be undisputed in the future.”
What does Ramos lack to establish himself more at PSG?
It’s not easy with PSG’s style of play; there are three strikers who move everywhere. He’s more of a number 9, in the center. That’s not really his style. When he comes on, he scores very often. He’s also a young player. It’s going to happen for him; he’ll be a player who might be undisputed in the future. He waits for his opportunities and makes the most of his time to help the team. He’s a real goalscorer, even if that’s getting a bit lost these days. He might be one of the last in that style.
Will the traditional number 9 disappear?
Maybe he’ll come back. But when you see big clubs playing without a real 9. There are still a few, but many don’t use it. Before, the players on the wings were there to deliver crosses.
