Vitinha: Being mentioned with Messi and Ronaldo is a huge honor; Portugal is not the favorite

Vitinha stated at the pre-match press conference for Portugal against Congo that Portugal has an extremely talented squad and is one of the contenders to win, but should never consider themselves favorites. He emphasized that the team must "take it one game at a time" and said that 41-year-old Ronaldo has proven everything with incredible dedication.

How are you adapting here?

We feel very good. We were here last year for the Club World Cup, so we more or less knew what to expect, including the field conditions and so on. Miami is a great place, we enjoy it and have adapted very well.

Could he have imagined that at 26, he would already be a two-time Champions League winner, participating in his second World Cup?

Yes – as long as I can remember, this is what I wanted to do most, I never thought of doing anything else. I don't know if it's also because of my father's influence, not directly, but because he has always been with me, he was a player himself, and has always been in this world of football.

I certainly dreamed of these things as a child, I just didn't expect to actually achieve them. However, it's still a process, I've won those honors, but I want to keep winning more, including the World Cup.

How are you physically and mentally? If 10 is the highest score, what would you rate yourself this season?

I feel very good both physically and mentally. As for scoring, I don't like to evaluate myself, but it has been a fantastic season, not just for me personally, but also for the club. We hope to finish with a gold medal.

Portugal is often seen as a favorite to win, do you also feel you are a favorite? Do you think Portugal is among the top three to win this tournament?

We are not naive, we know we have a national team of very high quality and talent, with players playing for big clubs all over the world. I would even say that perhaps we have never had such a national team – precisely because so many players are at top clubs.

But this is worth nothing on paper, as always. So I would say we are one of the contenders, no doubt. But "favorites"? No, I wouldn't use that word. We are a national team of very high quality and strong ability, but we must put it into practice and do our best for the national team.

What makes this team capable of achieving what previous generations could not?

If we all knew the answer, we would have done it already. We know that the always correct thing to do is to remain humble, take it one game at a time, think about the near future, not too far ahead.

We have talent, what we really need is the technical and tactical part, mainly the tactical aspect. But it also requires a lot of dedication and commitment, which is what we have been working on. These are the perfect elements for us to leave here with good results. Everyone puts us in that position, and there is such interest in the national team, which we gladly accept, but if we don't do what we have to do on the field, it's worth nothing. We are ready and eager, because playing in the World Cup is every player's dream. We will do everything to make things go well.

The FA president said this team is very mature, which is crucial for such a tournament. Portugal only lacks a World Cup title, and you are only missing this trophy.

I still have many things to win, not just the World Cup. I hope to win many more, including the World Cup. It's still a long way off, we haven't even played the first game, so it's too early to talk about it. What I can guarantee is a lot of dedication and commitment to the work. With these, I think we will be closer to achieving our goals.

You are all wearing the same bracelets, is it some kind of good luck charm? If you win the World Cup, will it be more special than the two Champions Leagues you have already won?

For the first question, I don't know if I can explain, because I'm not sure if they want to keep it a secret – not a secret, but within the team. But it's something we all use. For the second question, it would definitely be more special. After winning the Nations League, if we can win another major trophy for the national team, it would be very special.

Okay, I can explain the story of the bracelet, because there's no harm in it. Basically, when we met with the Prime Minister, he gave us this bracelet and made sure it could be worn on the field – it has all the characteristics to be worn during a match. It has the names of all the players, and a special name: Jota. He let us choose if and how we wanted to use it, whether to wear it during the day or during the game. We gratefully accepted this gift and chose for everyone to use it.

As a Portuguese midfielder, do you think Congo will try to freeze Portugal's midfield and not allow ball movement? Are you obsessed with scoring for the national team?

Thank you for reminding me that I haven't scored for the national team yet. There's no doubt it's something I really want to do, but I never put it above the team's interests. Obviously, if scoring benefits the team, that's best; but if forcing it isn't best for the team, I won't.

If the opportunity arises, I will be very happy, not only because I can help the team, but also because I can score my first goal for the national team – and the World Cup would be the best time to do it. As for what Congo will do, I can't predict that yet. We will further analyze them and better understand their tactics, but first, I think it's better to focus on ourselves, and things will turn out better.

This World Cup has drawn some criticism – players are forced to travel long distances, across three countries, with very high temperatures. Is the physical condition issue also important for your group, and will a lot of rotation be needed?

Physical condition is always important, it always has been. It might be even more crucial due to the weather conditions, especially after another long season. But it's the same for everyone. We have already experienced these temperatures and the same stadiums in the Club World Cup, right here in the USA. We know it's difficult, but this is the World Cup, there are no excuses, no conditions can stop us from giving our all for the national team. That's what we're going to do.

Vitinha is actually one of the best midfielders in the world, but when people think of football superstars, your name might not be at the top. Do you think maintaining this non-superstar status somehow harms your career?

I feel very good in this role, it's the most natural role, it's who I am. I would never change myself to get more benefits or privileges. I don't think it harms my career – if it does, I don't care. I'd rather be this way, and everything that comes with it.

Portugal's midfield is considered by many to be the best in this World Cup – Vitinha, Neves, Bruno Fernandes. Does this bring more pressure? Two Paris Saint-Germain players, European champions, what can Portugal gain from this?

This is somewhat like the external evaluation of the national team as a whole – a team of extremely high quality and talent, one of the best in the world. Rather than pressure, it's a responsibility. As for me, whether it's my teammates in midfield or other positions, what we can promise is to put in a lot of effort and dedication. We will give our all on the field, not only because representing the national team means a lot to us and there's a chance to achieve unprecedented success, but also for the entire country, for our friends and family, which always makes the game special."

As for the chemistry with João Neves at the club, that certainly helps – obviously, the head coach usually considers utilizing existing dynamics at the club, but ultimately, how to arrange and whether to use them is entirely up to the coach. Whoever the coach chooses to play, I will be happy, because the most important thing is that I also want to play and contribute to the team. I know that no matter which player plays, we will all give our best.

Portugal has never won the World Cup, is this a topic of conversation among the players? Do you set specific goals?

No, we don't talk about this directly, we don't say whether we should or shouldn't set high goals. I think we are all very experienced now, not just at the club, but also in the national team. We know that winning games requires thinking about the near future, the present, this moment, the next game – in this case, the next one. I think this is the most important thing.

If we do this from start to finish, we are closer to winning. Thinking one game at a time is obvious, but effective. Think about Congo, know what we must do against Congo, study the game well, give everything, hope to win it, and then do the same in the second and third games. If we get through, hopefully the same in the round of 16 and all other stages.

How do you feel about being mentioned alongside Messi and Ronaldo? What do you think about the externally anticipated Portugal vs. Argentina final?

To be compared with Messi and Ronaldo, two great historical figures, is a very unique experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. For me, it is a great honor and pride. As for Portugal against Argentina in the final? That is still far away, what we need to do now is focus on the game against Congo.

Portugal hasn't reached a World Cup final in 60 years, can this generation of players go all the way and lift the trophy?

I prefer the near future, what's close – that is, Congo.

Compared to your opponents, you are the undisputed favorites to win, how do you feel?

We don't consider ourselves the best in the group, but it means we will try hard internally. It's a long road.

Your performance at Parc des Princes made all of Paris adore you. What magic have you prepared for the World Cup?

Thank you very much. I will give my best for the national team, for my country. What I can promise, and what I said in the previous Portuguese question, is that I will give everything, and I hope so.

About Ronaldo – he's 41, and his physical condition still looks incredible. What do you think?

I am 26, but I never look at his age. Because his physical condition itself is the best proof of his dedication – how important it is to him, you can tell at a glance. We have a gradual generational change in our team: on one hand, 21-year-old players are having their first World Cup, and on the other hand, Ronaldo is playing his sixth. We maintain this balance well, having a national team with many young players, while also at a very high level, obviously capable of competing for the world championship."

Ronaldo is like this every day – the eternal Ronaldo. For all superstars, from preparation to mentality, what you should emphasize most is his continuous 24-hour dedication, which is incredible and a role model for everyone. He is still there, an incredible role model for most people. Everything he does, not only physically but also mentally, is still amazing. He could completely relax, but the fact is, he still seems to understand everything... It's a privilege for us to share all this with him.

What's the difference between Vitinha playing for the national team and playing for Paris? What functions you often perform at the club are not required in the national team?

Vitinha is the same person, trying to give his all whether at the club or for the national team. But the truth is that teammates are different, coaches are different, and what's required of you can also be different. I won't go into details, but obviously some things change. As Vitinha, I try to be myself and play my best to help the national team.

How much have Luis Enrique and Martinez changed in your development?

My career changed significantly at Paris Saint-Germain, mainly thanks to Luis Enrique. I am grateful to both of them, both as a person and as a player. This is not just benefiting from their guidance, but also because they are two coaches who have been crucial to my career.