Portuguese midfielder Vitinha (25), third in the last Ballon d’Or, spoke exclusively to ICI Paris Île-de-France. The Paris Saint-Germain stalwart reflects on his exceptional career and the serenity he has exuded since his breakthrough at the club. The interview will air on October 29th at 7:45 AM on the ICIMatin program. A transcript of the interview will also be available on our website.
Vitinha: “You always dream of being high up in the Ballon d’Or rankings.”
You always dream of being high up in the Ballon d’Or rankings. Winning the Ballon d’Or is the ultimate dream. But if you tell me, when I was 12, that when I’m 25, I’ll be third in the Ballon d’Or rankings, then yes, that seems incredible to me. When you look at the whole journey, when you experience things as they happen, it comes quite naturally.
Vitinha: “It brings responsibilities”
But it’s true that when I realize what I’ve done, individually, for my friends, my family, third in the Ballon d’Or, it’s amazing. It’s a dream. It brings responsibilities. Now, I have to maintain this level as much as possible, to keep this momentum going. But I know it’s difficult.
There aren’t many players who have continued to perform every year, because today there’s a lot of competition, enormous competitiveness. So I have to do everything I can to stay here. I’m in the perfect place to do that. A great club like PSG, the European Champions. I have to try to do the same and, if possible, better.
