Vitinha speaks openly about the Ballon d'Or, Neves and stats

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·04 de setembro de 2025

Vitinha speaks openly about the Ballon d'Or, Neves and stats

Vitinha, a 25-year-old midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal, held a press conference this Thursday during his national team's gathering for this September break. He was notably invited to discuss his place for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, his Portuguese and Parisian teammate João Neves (a 20-year-old midfielder), as well as his potential "lack" in decisive actions.

Vitinha "I'm among the nominees, I can aim for a good place."

A word on the Ballon d'Or? I see it in a very positive light, it was a dream season, one I will 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. I felt good and worked well. I'm among the nominees, I can aim for a good place. I've already had the opportunity to say that the first place suits me perfectly."

Vitinha "He deserves to be in the discussion."

João Neves one of the best? He deserves to be in the discussion and he is among the 30 nominees for the Ballon d'Or. I never tire of talking about him, he's a special boy and I'm happy to see things like what I saw this weekend. It's something unique, I don't remember a hat-trick with two bicycle kicks for a midfielder. We must congratulate him, continue to follow him, and have the privilege to be around him and enjoy it. The secret to being rarely injured? Let's not talk about it too much (laughs). It's ultimately luck, genetics, preparation also counts. Today, all players are 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, the goals and assists. Football ends up being reduced to that and I don't like it, it doesn't give a good image of football when you can compare players with goals and assists. I'm not complaining about the numbers I have, it's an area I want to improve. I will never force it if I realize it's not the best thing to do for the team at the moment. Today, everyone is asked to score goals, defenders, midfielders, attackers. I hope to do more, it's a sign that I can help the club and the national team."

Even though many focus the Ballon d'Or around 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 about the attackers, normally. But we know it will be like that. This doesn't prevent knowing that Vitinha and Neves are today references in midfield. The latter will surely appreciate his teammate's comments. There is clearly a great confidence prevailing.

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And it comes from a very wise midfielder, who knows that there is more to football than just statistics. Even less so only goals and assists. Of course, being decisive is always interesting. But it's not a goal to seek. One must first think of the collective and fulfill their role. Vitinha has many other missions to accomplish. And he does it particularly well. This should certainly not be overlooked.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.