Vitinha’s Journey: From Chorley to Champions League Stardom

Munich, Germany – Vitinha, a midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain, has come a long way from his early career as a loan player at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Recently, coach Luis Enrique hailed him as the best player in the world in his position. The journey for the Portuguese player has been significant, especially as he prepares to play in the Champions League final in front of 70,000 fans.

Vitinha’s time in England was challenging. During a pandemic-impacted season, he played sparingly, making just five starts in the Premier League. His lone goal in English football came during an FA Cup match against sixth-tier Chorley, where the attendance was officially recorded as zero.

Conor Coady, Wolves’ then-captain, recalls the moment fondly. “It was one where you are thinking, ‘don’t shoot,’” he told Sky Sports. “He was miles out. But the ball just moved and swerved.” That goal turned out to be the winner, leaving Vitinha with a cherished memory from his time in England.

Despite limited playing time, Vitinha appreciated his experience at Wolves. Coady shared, “It was brilliant. I loved it. It was a great game for people who are not from this country to understand what the cup is about.” He noted that Vitinha was comfortable receiving the ball in tight spaces, demonstrating his skill even in a lower-tier match.

Currently, Vitinha leads the Champions League in completed passes, showcasing his ability to control the game for PSG. “We saw that every day in training, mate,” Coady remarked about Vitinha’s skills during his time at Wolves.

Vitinha’s career has flourished since his time at Wolves, where he competed for playing time with established players Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves. Coady remembers, “We always knew he was a top player. The issue was that Moutinho and Neves were ahead of him.” Vitinha’s frustration was apparent, but Coady and others tried to support him through the tough times.

Now, after a successful season, Luis Enrique claims Vitinha is playing a different sport than others. Coady emphasizes the fit of Vitinha’s playing style with PSG, saying, “He has an unbelievable manager in Luis Enrique, and I think we are seeing the best of him.”

As Vitinha prepares for the final, the 25-year-old reflects on his journey. He transitioned from a loan player at Wolves to a key player with PSG, now poised to win his first Champions League title. “It is just a shame, really, because that goal against Chorley was the most that the Wolves fans saw from Vitinha in a game situation. But we all knew it at the time – he is a remarkable footballer,” Coady said.

If PSG secures the title, it will mark a significant achievement for Vitinha and a testament to his growth as a player.