Fernando Santos, Portugal coach from 2014 to 2022, was invited by Le Parisien to discuss the position taken by Vitinha, the 25-year-old Paris Saint-Germain midfielder and Portuguese international since 2022, among the best in the world.
“It’s the result of all his work. Vitinha has technical and tactical qualities well above average; he averages over 14 km per match. He has always been a very focused and hard-working young man. But at PSG, he has raised his game even higher. He brings balance to the team, both in attacking build-up and ball recovery.”
Vitinha has a particular talent, particularly his technique. But above all, his vision of the game allows him to always direct his team by finding passes to break pressure or create opportunities. He also knows how to effectively cut off the opponent’s counterattacks or protect the defense in a “low block.” There’s also the physical work required to keep up the pace without lowering one’s performance level.
However, his former coach also brings up a key point: hard work. A point too often overlooked with professional players, who are often “ranked” as if it were simply a matter of talent. But to break through and establish oneself at the highest level, there’s also daily work, dedication, and effort required. Vitinha has done what it takes to reach the next level. Enough to become a key player in a team that wins the Champions League and Portugal is among the favorites for the World Cup. It’s impressive, and we hope he continues in this direction.
