Arriving at PSG during the summer of 2022, Vitinha, after a difficult first season, became an executive of the team. Two days before facing City, he spoke to the Times.
Vitinha is one of the executives of the workforce of
PSG. The Portuguese international, author of a superb season during the 2023-2024 financial year, is gradually regaining his level, having suffered an ankle injury at the start of the season. In two days, the capital club faces Manchester City in Champions League. A crucial meeting for the European future of the Rouge & Bleu. The Portuguese international gave an interview to Times. Selected extracts…
His arrival at PSG in a group of stars
« It was like a dream. It didn't seem real for a long time. It wasn't easy. Even in games, with the tasks I had. But I will remember it for the rest of my career. Because I played with the best. This is something I will tell my children and my grandchildren one day. »
His rapid learning of French
« I just have this ability, so does my family. I listen to the French players. I wasn't afraid to make mistakes, to be wrong, but to learn the second time.«
Luis Enrique
« It's intense. I really don't think I could find a better coach. It matches my abilities with the ball, my strongest characteristics. The best thing is that he is always very direct. He won't lie to you. What he wants to say, he says. So you can't get the wrong impression. This is a very good thing for a player. You know what the coach thinks of you all the time. I like it a lot. Sometimes coaches are not so direct, to protect themselves. »
Its 2023-2024 season
« It was almost a perfect season. Almost, because the Champions League still hurts and will hurt for a long time. We really felt like it was ours. We had everything to be in the final. In the end, anything can happen. It was really difficult to swallow this big disappointment. »
His future
« I know the power of Premier
League. All I can say is that I really want to stay here, I'm really happy here, and I'm sure the club thinks the same way. »
See also: His attachment to PSG, his new role, his future… Vitinha confides
The PSG project
« I really prefer this kind of project. The way they want to build the team, the long term vision, that's the best way. »
The current season
“It’s a different season. We have no problem talking about it. Kylian is one of the best, if not the best. We knew it would be difficult. You cannot replace it directly. But you replace him with the team. That's what we did. But it takes time. I think we are collectively better and we have already shown that. Sometimes the goals don't come, but we have a lot of great attackers. »
The match against Manchester City
« We know the importance of this match for qualification. So you can imagine our hunger to play, to show everyone that we are a very strong team and that we can win this type of match. »
