Although he wasn’t thrilled at Wolverhampton, Vitinha managed to turn around and win at PSG
Vitinha’s signing in mid-2022 was one of the biggest surprises of the Paris Saint Germainwho faces a reindeer fur French Championshipthis Sunday, at 4:45 p.m. (Brasília time), broadcast directly on Star+.
At 22, the midfielder arrived at PSG for 40 million euros (224 million reais) and quickly established himself, having appeared in 24 matches this season.
Vitinha’s rapid growth surprised even those who have known him since childhood. Humberto Costa, who trained the midfielder at the base of the postagerecalls that the former student had a frustrating passage through premier league less than two years ago.
“He has evolved a lot in recent years. Of all the famous players with whom I have worked, he is the one who has succeeded the most in making a qualitative leap. As he matured, he began to function a great deal of self-confidence. I see him very comfortable, he was not very happy Wolverhampton, but won chances at Porto and resolved. This surprised me a bit. He shows a will on the pitch that I didn’t expect, » the coach told the ESPN.com.br.
Vitinha arrived in Porto in just 12 years after going through a school in Benfica. From the start, he had to face competition from 60 boys to make the team of 20 young people on the base.
“Vitinha’s main qualities lie in his relationship with the ball. He made a lot of courtly touches, futsal style. In midfield it is important because it allows us to always have the ball within reach and also from the opponent. Technique was the aspect that most understood do Vitinha,” Costa said.
According to Humberto, the midfielder was very focused on his job and always came to training happy.
“He took part in the exercises in a very pleasant way. He was very polite and I don’t remember calling him for disrespecting anyone from the staff. He was very easy to manage. He was very diligent in training, which I always liked about him,” the coach said.
After establishing himself, Vitinha was promoted by category until he reached the professionals. He only had one season with the first team before being loaned to Wolverhampton with a purchase option set at 20 million euros (R$112.82 million).
However, the Portuguese’s performances – there were 22 matches and one goal scored – didn’t provide enough attention for him to be hired. He spent most of his time on coach Nuno Espírito Santo’s bench.
Returning to Dragão, Vitinha resumed the 2021/22 season in reserve and without great prospects. During the year, however, it gained space and became one of the highlights of the Portuguese Championship title and the Portuguese Cup.
In the middle of this year, he was bought by PSG for double the amount Wolverhampton could have paid for him in 2021. Additionally, he appeared in 3 Qatar World Cup games for the Portuguese national team .
“Vitinha struggled to shoot from the edge of the box. He tried to improve on that and can still improve. Before, I had the impression that he touched the ball more often than he should, but today I see that he does not. I don’t do that anymore. He knows the right moment,” concluded Humberto Costa.
Where to watch Rennes vs PSG?
Rennes x PSG, for the 19th in the French Championship, Will air live on ESPN on Star+every day of the week (15), at 4:45 p.m. (Brasilia time).
