“Vitinha! Vitinha!” Usually the one helping his teammates shine, Paris Saint-Germain’s quiet star took center stage for once: On November 26, after PSG’s 5-3 victory over Tottenham in the Champions League, the Parc des Princes gave the Portuguese midfielder a massive ovation. That night, the footballer did more than just shine in his usual role as the metronome of PSG’s offense – he also scored the first hat trick of his career. Above all, he carried his team nearly single-handedly, proving decisive at key moments and demonstrating leadership qualities that had not previously been associated with him. “Wow, what a player!” said Tottenham manager Thomas Frank after the match.
Vitinha, 25, suddenly found himself in the spotlight. It was a new experience for this modest player, whose essential work in midfield often goes unnoticed by the public. “I realized that scoring goals is recognized much more than setting them up for others. When you’re decisive, the impression you leave is different,” Vitor Machado Ferreira – his real name – told Le Monde. “That match was a big moment for our group at the start of the season, and even more so for me, personally.”
It was as if that golden evening symbolized the new dimension Vitinha has reached since arriving quietly in Paris in the summer of 2022. During his first months in the capital, the introverted and affable player lived in the shadow of the stars, struggling to make his mark. But he persevered and waited for his moment. His performances in the 2024-2025 season and PSG’s victorious European campaign allowed him to become the true conductor on the pitch and finish third in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings. “I saw him join the team and take on more responsibility,” said team captain Marquinhos. “Today, he’s the one who controls our play, who sets the tempo.” The holding midfielder is expected to once again be the key figure for the club on Wednesday, December 10, on Athletic Bilbao’s pitch, for the sixth match day of the Champions League group stage.
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