This week, the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League delivered a number of memorable matches, together with Kylian Mbappe’s four-goal show for Actual Madrid in opposition to Olympiacos. In Paris Saint-Germain vs. Tottenham Hotspur, there was additionally a participant with a exceptional exhibiting that thrust him into the highlight within the race for the subsequent Ballon d’Or: Vitinha.
On the Parc des Princes, PSG confronted a troublesome problem in opposition to the Spurs, who took the lead twice. Nonetheless, Vitinha delivered an impressed efficiency and, with three targets, led his group’s comeback in a 5–3 victory.
For the Portuguese midfielder, it was the primary hat trick of his profession, including to an extended listing of spectacular performances in current months that prompted each his personal coach and the opposing coach to talk immediately about him.
“The following Ballon d’Or winner might be once more from PSG. Will probably be Vitinha,” stated Tottenham supervisor Thomas Frank after the match, based on reporter Fabrizio Romano. “One of the best midfielder on the earth and he’ll be the subsequent Ballon d’Or winner. Wow, what a participant.”
Luis Enrique, Head Coach of Paris Saint-Germain.
Luis Enrique additionally weighed in through the postgame press convention in Paris, the place he was requested concerning the efficiency of the Portugal midfielder. “Vitinha has been sensational, as at all times. Subsequent Ballon d’Or? Properly… I hope so,” the PSG coach stated, based on Romano.
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Vitinha got here near the 2025 Ballon d’Or
PSG’s monumental success through the 2024-25 season allowed them to dominate this 12 months’s Ballon d’Or awards. The winner was Ousmane Dembele, who completed forward of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, and 4 different gamers from the French facet appeared within the prime ten.
Vitinha positioned third within the voting for the world’s finest participant by France Soccer journal, ending with somewhat greater than half of Dembele’s level complete. It was a formidable achievement contemplating his place on the sector, removed from the highlight normally reserved for elite purpose scorers.
Now Vitinha seems more and more established as a pacesetter at PSG, which ought to, in idea, improve his probabilities of claiming the subsequent Ballon d’Or. Nonetheless, the award usually is determined by group success every season, and the 2026 version might be closely influenced by the World Cup. For that purpose, Vitinha will want robust performances from each PSG and Portugal to noticeably contend for the trophy.
What number of Portuguese gamers have received the Ballon d’Or?
Portugal is the third-highest-ranking nation in Ballon d’Or trophies since France Soccer created the award in 1956. Argentina leads with eleven trophies, adopted by France with eight, whereas Portugal, Germany, and the Netherlands are tied with seven.
In fact, most Ballon d’Or honors awarded to Portuguese gamers belong to 1 identify: Cristiano Ronaldo. The Al Nassr ahead received the award 5 instances between 2008 and 2017—as soon as with Manchester United and the remaining 4 with Actual Madrid. As well as, Eusebio received in 1965 and Luis Figo claimed the prize in 2000.
