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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>PSG signed some of the world's best</li><li>Are now moving in a different direction</li><li>Proving that they can still be competitive </li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

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

Ligue 1

Brest

Paris Saint-Germain

LaLiga

Espanyol

Real Madrid

<p>PSG <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/neymar-told-lucky-play-psg-only-blame-himself-not-winning-ballon-d-or-best-possible-conditions-parc-des-princes/blt5f562f36afcddc7b" target="_blank">smashed the world transfer record when acquiring Brazilian superstar Neymar</a> in 2017, with World Cup winner Mbappe arriving in the same summer. Four years later, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/neymar-experienced-hell-lionel-messi-psg-failing-make-history-france/blt4f8f102bcb47e63b" target="_blank">Messi joined the ranks at Parc des Princes</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>South American forwards <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/psg-much-more-team-without-lionel-messi-neymar-luis-enrique-hard-stance-kylian-mbappe/blt15b3fe970b06ddec" target="_blank">Messi and Neymar left</a> for Inter Miami and Al-Hilal respectively in 2023, while <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/kylian-mbappe-misses-psg-status-everyone-played-for-him-frustration-building-real-madrid-galactico/blt2b85f0579049ef61" target="_blank">Mbappe completed a switch to Real Madrid in 2024</a> that had been speculated on for several years. The absence of supposed superstars has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/former-france-president-explains-benefits-psg-without-lionel-messi-neymar-david-beckham-zlatan-ibrahimovic-kylian-mbappe-real-madrid-move-questioned/blt400a7014cdfa370b" target="_blank">forced PSG to move in a different direction</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Vitinha considers that to be a good thing, with the Portugal international telling <a href="https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/vitinha-losing-kylian-mbappe-was-a-blow-but-its-made-us-a-better-team-3hxrp3w6v " target="_blank"><em>The Times</em></a>: “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.”</p>

WHAT VITINHA SAID

<p>While PSG have moved on from Messi and Co, Vitinha is proud to have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-psg-happy-see-lionel-messi-neymar-kylian-mbappe-era-end-club-president-explaining-ligue-1-champions-great-without-trio/bltc82150869c0c13c3" target="_blank">graced the same side as some all-time greats</a>. He added on <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/kylian-mbappe-jealous-lionel-messi-neymar-psg-ego-war-true-thoughts-real-madrid-superstar/blt88f84d40ef557334" target="_blank">working with illustrious team-mates</a>: “It was like a dream. It didn’t feel real for a long time.” </p><p>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.” </p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>PSG have placed greater emphasis on youth in recent recruitment, having experimented with bringing in more seasoned operators, and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/revealed-lionel-messi-brutal-blast-psg-team-mate-vitinha/blt5f94c562f4c6cf9b" target="_blank">Vitinha is now one of the older heads</a> 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.”</p>

TELL ME MORE

<p>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 <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/champions-league-2024-25-power-rankings/bltf41e9a385718e265" target="_blank">Champions League action on Wednesday when facing Premier League title holders Manchester City</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

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

Vitinha has explained why Paris Saint-Germain are “better” without Kylian Mbappe, while reflecting on his time alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar.

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

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