According to data published by DataMB, Portuguese midfielder Vitinha (25 years old) and Spaniard Fabián Ruiz (29 years old) are among the most influential midfielders in Europe. The graph comparing forward passes and through passes places the two Parisians in an elite sphere, reflecting the tactical work of Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain.
One detail stands out in this graph: Vitinha soars above the rest of the continent. No other European midfielder combines as many progressive passes and passes into space as he does. His extreme positioning, far removed from the likes of Pedri, Barella, or Kimmich, illustrates a player who has become a driving force for creating imbalances. Always operating between the lines, the Portuguese player looks for openings rather than simply recycling the ball. His game, characterized by risk-taking and surgical precision, reflects the confidence Luis Enrique has placed in him for several months.
Alongside him, Fabián Ruiz displays a more measured, but equally essential, profile. His statistics reveal an impressive consistency in forward passes, with a volume exceeding that of most midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues. The Spaniard embodies control and continuity, ensuring the fluidity of PSG’s play when Vitinha accelerates the tempo. Together, they form a perfect duality: one creates controlled chaos, the other a more serene tempo.
