Football fans had a lot to say about Vitinha last night, as the former Wolves loanee won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal.
Portugal won the trophy for the second time, after defeating Spain on penalties after the match finished 2-2 after 90 minutes.
Ruben Neves scored the winning penalty for Portugal against Spain, after coming on in the game at half-time along with Nelson Semedo.
Vitinha started the game for Portugal, after only coming off the bench in the semi-final against Germany.
And it was a typically classy display from the Paris Saint-Germain maestro, who completed 76/81 (94%) in the game, had the most touches of any Portugal player with 88, and won 5/6 duels.
Such high level performances are now expected from Vitinha, who has developed into one of the world’s best midfielders over the last few years.
Wolves famously declined the chance to sign Vitinha for around £17 million, and that has come into focus a bit more recently. Nuno Espirito Santo suggested Joao Moutinho was a reason Vitinha did not play so much at Wolves, but Leander Dendoncker and Ruben Neves were also ahead of him in the pecking order.
At times now, Vitinha makes for uncomfortable viewing for Wolves fans, knowing there was a chance to land him as a permanent player. That said, he may not be the player he is today had he done that.
But last night, football fans watching the game were making a new suggestion about Vitinha that will surely leave some Wolves supporters uncomfortable if it came to pass.
Football fans make case for Vitinha to win Ballon d’Or after Nations League win with Portugal
The Ballon d’Or is awarded to the standout player in football, but some have argued that team achievements actually influence who wins.
Very often, players that have won multiple trophies win the Ballon d’Or.
Certainly, those that are part of winning teams get put into the conversation, and that is now happening with Vitinha, who many believe would deserve to at least be in contention.
@tonnie_moremi said: “If Vitinha wins the Nations League today, he definitely enters the Ballon d’Or conversation.”
@klintoncod said: “Vitinha should be in that Ballon d’Or conversation at this point.
@P5GClip added: “Vitinha is a quadruple winner AND UEFA Nations League winner. If this man isn’t top 3 on the Ballon d’Or list, I’d be amazed. This is the best midfielder in the world.”
@O_Emmanuel_11 said: “I’m clearly seeing this tbh It’d be a similar case like Rodri.”
@Saner_Chuka said: “Vitinha has won 5 trophies this season, had a major impact in all of them, still has the club world cup and super cup to play, bring our Ballon d’Or.”
Roberto Martinez thinks Vitinha deserves the Ballon d’Or
Vitinha has definitely had a very strong campaign having won Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Champions League and now the Nations League.
Vitinha winning the Champions League will undoubtedly help his cause.
And he can further strengthen his case to win the Ballon d’Or if PSG beat Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Super Cup and he plays a starring role.
Furthermore, PSG will play at the Club World Cup, meaning another chance for Vitinha to excel.
One man who thinks Vitinha already deserves to win it though is Roberto Martinez, who said of the midfielder last week (via Goal): “One thing is what Vitinha is doing this season. For me, without a doubt. He is a player who was essential for PSG to win everything they have won.
“I think that due to Vitinha’s style and effectiveness, he deserves to be awarded the Ballon d’Or.”
Certainly, if Vitinha is pictured holding the Ballon d’Or trophy on September 22, many Wolves fans out there will be left squirming.