Wolves and the Ballon d’Or are, for the most part, mutually exclusive terms, but one former Wolves player has a real shot at winning football’s most prestigious individual award.
PSG have just had a season for the ages, winning their first Champions League title to make up a historic quadruple.
A big part of that success has been the play of one former Wolves midfielder, Vitinha. The Portuguese maestro has gone from outcast at Molineux to world-beater for Luis Enrique’s side.
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He played an integral role in their success this season, and he thinks he has a chance at the Ballon d’Or.
Vitinha feels good about his nomination after dream season with PSG
While on international duty with Portugal, Vitinha was asked about the upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony, and he sounds confident.
He says: “I see it very positively. It was a dream season, one I’ll definitely remember throughout my career. I hope it’s not the best yet—that the best is still to come.
“It was an almost perfect, if not perfect, season. I felt great and worked hard. I’m among the nominees, so I can aim for a strong finish. I’ve already said that first place would suit me just fine.”
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I’m sure it would. Wolves fans will feel a sense of pride to see a former player recognised on the world stage in this manner, even if he was just a young loan signing that didn’t work out.
Vitinha’s unlikely ascent to the peak of world football took everyone by surprise, but even during his brief time at Molineux, there were flashes of brilliance.
Vitinha produced one world-class moment for Wolves
Joining Wolves on loan from Porto in 2020, Vitinha’s time at Molineux was fairly uneventful. At 20, he was still developing and struggled with the physicality of the Premier League.
But he did have one jaw-dropping moment in Old Gold.
During an FA Cup tie against sixth-tier Chorley, Vitinha scored his only goal for Wolves, and what a goal it was.
Sure, the opposition wasn’t the Champions League level quality, like what he now faces, but the strike itself was an outstanding bit of technique.
Now, the flashes have turned into consistent performances as Vitinha has entered the world-class tier of footballers. What could have been.