Vitinha celebrated his second Champions League title in as many years as Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal in a tense final to secure back-to-back European crowns. The Portuguese midfielder, who featured prominently throughout the campaign, described the season as "crazy" and insisted the Parisian club has proven itself as the continent's finest over the past two seasons.
The road to glory was far from smooth. Vitinha admitted the squad anticipated difficulties after a truncated pre-season and a series of injuries to key players. "We knew there would be problems from the start," he noted, reflecting on how the team managed to navigate long stretches without several important first-team members. The ability to grind out results under such circumstances, he argued, was a testament to the group's resilience.
Throughout the campaign, PSG's depth was repeatedly tested. Vitinha highlighted the contributions of those who played fewer minutes but maintained a positive mindset and readiness to contribute. In the final itself, substitutes like Gonçalo Ramos and Lucas Beraldo stepped up to convert in the penalty shootout, underscoring the collective effort that defined their triumphant run.
As one of the most-used players this season, Vitinha was asked if the man-of-the-match award reflected his individual importance. He deflected the praise back to the team, calling the collective achievement "incredible." "Even the players who play less have a smile and are ready to give everything," he said, emphasizing the difference such an environment makes in high-stakes moments.
The influence of head coach Luis Enrique loomed large over the success. Vitinha revealed that from the previous summer, the Spanish manager had already planted the seed of pursuing a second consecutive Champions League star. "Luis Enrique is really the one responsible," he stated, hinting that the coach's appetite for success is insatiable. When jokingly asked about a third title, Vitinha smiled but stressed the need to enjoy the present before looking ahead.
Winning back-to-back European titles is a feat only a handful of clubs have achieved in the modern era, placing PSG in an elite bracket. Vitinha described it as the "ultimate dream" and a source of immense pride. "We deserved it from start to finish," he asserted, encapsulating the satisfaction of a job completed against all odds.
On the transfer front, Vitinha addressed the growing speculation linking him and his teammates with moves to other top clubs. He acknowledged the interest as normal, given PSG's status as the benchmark in European football. "It's normal that big clubs want PSG's players because we are the best in Europe over the last two years," he said, while recognizing the volatile nature of football where fortunes can shift quickly.
The remarks underscore a potential challenge for PSG's hierarchy: retaining a squad that has now attracted global attention. With several core players entering their prime, the summer window could test the club's ability to fend off suitors and maintain the nucleus that propelled them to consecutive continental triumphs.
Beyond the transfer chatter, Vitinha’s focus remained on celebrating the moment. He lauded the unity within the dressing room and the unwavering belief instilled by Luis Enrique. The victory also offered a fitting response to critics who questioned PSG’s mental toughness in previous campaigns, proving that this iteration of the team possesses the character to navigate adversity.
As the dust settles on a remarkable two-year cycle, PSG can lay claim to being the dominant force in the European game. The challenge now is to sustain that level, an ambition that Luis Enrique seems eager to pursue. For Vitinha and company, the immediate priority is to savor a triumph that confirmed their place at the summit.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
