Former Paris Saint-Germain striker Pedro Miguel Pauleta has labelled Vitinha a "phenomenon," comparing the midfielder to Barcelona's Pedri and the legendary Andres Iniesta. The praise comes after the Portuguese star scored in PSG's 7-2 Champions League demolition of Bayer Leverkusen, with Pauleta hailing his compatriot's technique and positioning.
Pauleta hails 'Iniesta-like' phenomenon
The comprehensive victory at the BayArena on Tuesday saw PSG maintain their perfect start to the new Champions League league phase. Vitinha capped off the dominant display by scoring the seventh goal in the 90th minute, adding to a scoresheet that included an own goal from Willian Pacho, a brace from Desire Doue, and strikes from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes and Ousmane Dembele.
Ex-Portugal international Pauleta, who scored 109 goals for the Parisian club during his career, was unequivocal in his admiration for the midfielder and his development under Luis Enrique.
"It's a huge pleasure to watch players of this quality," Pauleta said on . "Is he the best midfielder in the world? He's at a huge level, like Pedri at Barca. They remind me of Iniesta. Vitinha, he doesn't lose the ball, he's always well positioned. He knows how to do everything with the ball. He doesn't make a mistake and doesn't miss a pass. He has the confidence of his club. He's a phenomenon."
AdvertisementGetty Images SportLeverkusen rout cements PSG's European dominance
Pauleta's comments were triggered by Vitinha's commanding performance against Bayer Leverkusen, a match that cemented PSG's control of their Champions League destiny. The 7-2 victory was a statistical mismatch, with PSG registering eight shots on target from 22 total attempts and commanding 67 per cent of the possession away from home.
The German side, who managed only two goals from Aleix García penalties, were reduced to 10 men after Robert Andrich's red card and could not cope with the relentless Parisian attack. The win gives PSG nine points from three matches, placing them firmly at the top of the 36-team table. They are one of only five teams, alongside Bayern Munich, Inter, Arsenal, and Real Madrid, to maintain a 100% winning record at this stage of the new format.
Vitinha's growing influence this season
The 25-year-old has been central to PSG's strong start to the 2025-26 campaign. In the Champions League, he has started all three fixtures, contributing one goal and one assist over 270 minutes of play.
His domestic form has been equally impressive. In seven Ligue 1 appearances, Vitinha has already scored one goal and provided three assists, helping his side remain unbeaten. His versatility across defensive, central, and attacking midfield roles has made him indispensable to Luis Enrique's tactical setup. The confidence mentioned by Pauleta is evident in his play, as he has become a primary link between the defence and the club's formidable attack.
Praise for Mendes and Neves
Vitinha was not the only Portuguese player to draw praise from Pauleta. The 52-year-old also highlighted the exceptional technical ability of wing-back Nuno Mendes, who also found the scoresheet in the 50th minute.
"Nuno Mendes? It's not normal for a defender to have this technique!" Pauleta said. He also singled out 21-year-old midfielder Joao Neves for his maturity: "Joao Neves, given his age, it's not normal either to have such quality, such confidence. He's a treat. It's good for Portugal and for PSG!"
While his compatriots flourished, striker Goncalo Ramos has had a challenging start to the season, finding opportunities limited. Pauleta offered a lenient perspective on the forward's situation, attributing his struggles to a mismatch in tactical systems. "He's a striker who stays in the box. And that's not how PSG plays," Pauleta explained. "But every minute he plays, he takes advantage of it to help the team."