Frank: Vitinha will be the next Ballon d'Or winner

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has backed Paris Saint-Germain star Vitinha to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

Vitinha turned in an inspired display as his hat-trick led European champions PSG to a 5-3 victory over Spurs on Wednesday.

Randal Kolo Muani impressed for Spurs against his parent club, teeing up Richarlison's opener before scoring twice himself.

Man-of-the-match Vitinha, who played a crucial role in PSG's Champions League success last season, finished third in the Ballon d'Or voting, behind team-mate Ousmane Dembele and Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal.

However, Frank feels the Portugal international is the favourite to scoop the award next year.

"Vitinha is the best midfielder in the world," Frank told TNT Sports.

"He will be the next Ballon d'Or winner."

Vitinha scored more than once in the same game for PSG for the first time and became only the fifth Portuguese player to score a hat-trick in a Champions League game after Cristiano Ronaldo (eight), Rui Pedro, Diogo Jota and Joao Mario.

He led PSG for shots (five), final third entries (10), touches (109) and accurate passes (89).

But while Vitinha stole the show, Frank took plenty of positives from what he felt was a much-improved Spurs display compared to the one they turned in against Arsenal last weekend.

"I am very pleased with the performance. Today was much more the identity of the team, the bravery and aggressiveness of the team," Frank said.

"There were lots of positives, the two strikers scoring three goals between them, the whole team performed really well.

"The performance was to get something out of the game, but then you need to have the margins with you but we can't concede some of the goals we did.

"Of course it will always be concerning when we concede four and five but these were two completely different games. This was more of what I want. Today we competed. Today was a team with soul and character and you need that."

Kolo Muani has now been directly involved in seven goals in his last four appearances against parent club PSG, scoring in each of his last four outings against them (five goals, two assists).

He scored more goals against them this time out (two) than he managed across his 14 appearances for them in this competition (one).

"It can definitely be a turning point but the two goals will give him confidence going forward," Frank said of Kolo Muani, who has struggled to make an impact for Spurs this season.

"He has struggled a bit with confidence, but now he is looking better and better."