Vitinha, a 25-year-old midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal, held a press conference this Thursday during his national team’s September break. He was asked to discuss his place in the 2025 Ballon d’Or, his Portuguese and Parisian teammate João Neves (20-year-old midfielder), as well as his potential “lack” in decisive play.
Vitinha: “I’m among the nominees, I can aim for a good place.”
A word about the Ballon d’Or?
I’m very positive about it. It was a dream season, one I’ll certainly remember for my career. I hope it’s not the best, that the best is yet to come. It was an almost perfect season, or almost. I felt good and I worked hard. I’m among the nominees, I can aim for a good place. I’ve already had the opportunity to say that first place suits me perfectly.”
Vitinha: “He deserves to be in the debate.”
João Neves, one of the best?
He deserves to be in the debate, and he’s one of the 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or. I never tire of talking about him; he’s a special guy, and I’m happy to see things like what I saw this weekend. It’s something unique; I can’t remember a hat-trick with two bicycle kicks from a midfielder. We have to be happy about it, continue to follow him, and have the privilege of being around him and enjoying it.
The secret to being injury-free?
Let’s not talk about it too much (laughs). In the end, it’s luck, genetics, and preparation counts too. These days, players are all professionals. Injuries end up being a matter of luck. Fortunately, I haven’t had any, I don’t want to talk about it too much, and I don’t want to.
Vitinha: “Football ends up being reduced to that, and I don’t like it.”
Few goals or assists?
I’m not complaining about the numbers I’ve had, goals and assists. Football ends up being reduced to that, and I don’t like it. It doesn’t reflect well on football when you compare players with goals and assists. I’m not complaining about the numbers I have; it’s an area I want to improve.
I’ll never force myself if I realize it’s not the best thing for the team right now. Today, everyone is asked to score goals: defenders, midfielders, forwards. I hope to do more; it’s a sign that I can help the club and the national team. »
Even though many are focusing the Ballon d’Or on two players, Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé, there are many other candidates who should have their say. Like Vitinha, João Neves, or Achraf Hakimi. And undoubtedly others. It’s not just the forwards, normally. But we know that’s how it will be. Which doesn’t prevent us from knowing that Vitinha and Neves are currently benchmarks in midfield. The latter will undoubtedly appreciate his teammate’s words. There is clearly a great deal of confidence.
And she comes from a very wise background, one that knows that football isn’t all about statistics. Even less so just goals and assists. Of course, being decisive is always interesting. But it’s not a goal to strive for. You have to think about the team first and fulfill your role. Vitinha has many other missions to fulfill. And he does it particularly well. We should definitely not put that aside.
