Africalivenews Sports Desk
Paris Saint-Germain’s commanding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the 2025 UEFA Champions League final has drawn praise from across the football world, but one player who stood out was Portuguese midfielder Vitinha, whose performance left football legend Steven Gerrard raving.
Speaking on TNT Sports after the emphatic win at Allianz Arena in Munich, Gerrard — a former Liverpool captain and Rangers manager — described the 24-year-old as nothing short of “the new Xavi,” drawing a direct comparison to the iconic Spanish maestro who defined an era for FC Barcelona and Spain.
“The new Xavi — he’s the new Xavi,” Gerrard said when asked by fellow pundit Owen Hargreaves about Vitinha’s performance.
“It’s like he had the freedom of the pitch. Nobody got near him at any point.”
PSG’s Historic Night in Munich
The final was a showcase of tactical dominance and technical brilliance from Luis Enrique’s PSG side, who crushed Serie A champions Inter Milan in one of the most one-sided Champions League finals in recent memory.
Teenage sensation Desire Doue struck twice, while Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and rising star Senny Mayulu each added a goal to complete the 5-0 demolition job.
Yet despite the goal fest, it was Vitinha who controlled the tempo and rhythm of the game from midfield, dictating play with precision, vision, and remarkable composure.
His performance earned plaudits from pundits and fans alike, reaffirming his status as one of the best midfielders in Europe today.
Gerrard’s Glowing Verdict
Gerrard’s assessment adds to a growing chorus of praise for Vitinha, who joined PSG from Porto in 2022 and has gradually cemented his place in the starting XI.
The former England international, known for his own midfield prowess, made the Xavi comparison with conviction, citing Vitinha’s intelligence, awareness, and ball distribution as traits reminiscent of the Barcelona legend.
“He was everywhere, always two steps ahead, and his ability to switch play and link up with the attackers was phenomenal. You need players like this to win titles. It’s not just the scorers — it’s the ones who make everything tick,” Gerrard added.
Backing From Enrique
Gerrard is not alone in his admiration. PSG manager Luis Enrique, himself a former Barcelona boss and Spanish international, has long been an advocate of Vitinha’s talents. Back in April, Enrique boldly declared Vitinha as “the best midfield player in the world.”
“He understands space, he understands movement, and he never hides — he always wants the ball. That’s what sets the great midfielders apart, and Vitinha has it all,” Enrique said during a press conference at the time.
Following Saturday’s final, Enrique once again emphasized Vitinha’s importance to the team.
“Vitinha is the engine of this team. Others get the goals and the headlines, but he makes us play, and he never stops running,” the coach said.
Vitinha’s Journey to the Top
Still just 24, Vítor Machado Ferreira, popularly known as Vitinha, has been a revelation for PSG this season. The Portuguese playmaker has evolved into a central figure in the team’s midfield, providing balance between defense and attack while contributing key passes and defensive recoveries throughout the campaign.
Born in Santo Tirso, Portugal, Vitinha was a standout product of FC Porto’s academy. After a brief loan spell at Wolves in the Premier League, he returned to Portugal before securing a high-profile transfer to PSG in 2022.
Although he took time to adjust to the physical demands of Ligue 1 and PSG’s star-studded environment, the 2024/2025 season has seen him blossom into a world-class playmaker. With over 12 assists and 7 goals in all competitions, Vitinha has been instrumental in PSG’s historic treble-winning season, which includes the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, and now the UEFA Champions League.
Champions League Final: Match Summary
From the first whistle at the Allianz Arena, PSG were relentless. Vitinha’s early control in midfield allowed the attackers to express themselves freely, and the team wasted no time taking the lead.
Desire Doue, who has been one of the breakout stars of the tournament, opened the scoring with a well-placed finish before adding another in the first half. Inter Milan struggled to cope with PSG’s high pressing and quick transitions.
Hakimi’s overlapping run and finish in the 42nd minute made it 3-0 before halftime. The second half saw more PSG dominance as Kvaratskhelia — the Georgian winger signed last summer from Napoli — scored a screamer from outside the box, followed by an intelligent finish by 17-year-old Senny Mayulu, who came off the bench to put the icing on the cake.
It was a masterclass in modern attacking football — but it was all orchestrated by Vitinha, whose work rate, vision, and decision-making never faltered for 90 minutes.
Praise Across the Football World
Social media was flooded with reactions praising Vitinha’s performance, with hashtags like #VitinhaXavi, #UCLFinal2025, and #PSGChampions trending globally.
Many fans even suggested that Vitinha should now be in serious contention for the Ballon d’Or, especially considering his consistency throughout the season.
French sports daily L’Équipe rated him 9/10, writing: “Vitinha was omnipresent. He pulled all the strings. This was not just a Champions League final — this was a showcase of midfield excellence.”
What’s Next for Vitinha and PSG?
With the treble secured and their dominance in Europe now affirmed, PSG are expected to maintain their core squad going into the 2025/26 season. Vitinha is under contract until 2027, and with Luis Enrique at the helm, the club is building a new legacy centered around possession-based football and technical brilliance.
As for Vitinha, the comparisons to Xavi, while lofty, seem less exaggerated with each passing performance. If he continues at this level, he may not just be the new Xavi — he may well define a generation of midfielders for the next decade.
