Portuguese midfielder Vitinha has claimed Paris Saint-Germain are better without the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar.
PSG in the past few seasons have become popular for signing high-profile players. In 2017, PSG smashed the world transfer record to sign Brazilian superstar Neymar, with World Cup winner Mbappe arriving in the same summer.
In what was a surprising move, four years later, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi joined the ranks at Parc des Princes.
Despite having the best front three in the world, PSG failed to win the Champions League and forwards Messi and Neymar left for Inter Miami and Al-Hilal respectively in 2023.
Meanwhile, Mbappe completed a switch to Real Madrid in 2024 and his absence have forced PSG to move in a different direction.
Vitinha has now insisted that it’s a good thing the club are without the likes of Messi, Mbappe and Neymar.
Vitinha of PSG salutes the supporters following the Ligue 1 match between Racing Club de Lens (RC Lens, RCL) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
The Portugal international while speaking with The Times said: “It’s a different season. We don’t have a problem talking about it. Kylian is one of the best, if not the best. We knew it would be difficult. You can’t replace him directly. But you replace him with the team. That’s what we did. But that takes time. I think we’re collectively better and we have shown it already. Sometimes the goals aren’t coming but we have a lot of great forwards.”
While PSG have moved on from Messi and Co, Vitinha is proud to have graced the same side as some all-time greats. He added on working with illustrious team-mates: “It was like a dream. It didn’t feel real for a long time.”
Vitinha added on occasionally having to cover for the lack of backtracking that Neymar, Messi and Mbappe would do: “It was not easy. Even in the games, with the chores I had. But I will remember it for the rest of my career. Because I played with the best. That is a thing I will tell my children, and my grandchildren, one day.”
PSG in the last two transfer windows have decided to sign young players and Vitinha is proud of this new approach.
He said of that change in approach: “I really do prefer this kind of project. The way that they want to build the team, the long-term vision, it’s the best way.”
Vitinha joined PSG in 2022 and has surged beyond 100 appearances for the club, has helped Luis Enrique’s side back to the top of the Ligue 1 table this season. .
