Vitinha claims PSG are ‘better’ without Kylian Mbappe as star midfielder explains why he ‘prefers’ project that began after Lionel Messi & Neymar departures

PSG smashed the world transfer record when acquiring Brazilian superstar Neymar in 2017, with World Cup winner Mbappe arriving in the same summer. Four years later, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi joined the ranks at Parc des Princes.

South American forwards Messi and Neymar left for Inter Miami and Al-Hilal respectively in 2023, while Mbappe completed a switch to Real Madrid in 2024 that had been speculated on for several years. The absence of supposed superstars has forced PSG to move in a different direction.

Vitinha considers that to be a good thing, with the Portugal international telling The Times: “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 have placed greater emphasis on youth in recent recruitment, having experimented with bringing in more seasoned operators, and Vitinha is now one of the older heads at 24 years of age. 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, who 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 and will be in Champions League action on Wednesday when facing Premier League title holders Manchester City.