“This Club Doesn’t Need Messi” – Vitinha’s Explosive Interview Shocks Football World After PSG’s Champions League Triumph
Fresh off an emotional and historic UEFA Champions League victory with Paris Saint-Germain, midfielder Vitinha has stunned the football community with a no-holds-barred interview targeting none other than Lionel Messi, the Argentine legend who previously played for the club.
In a raw and deeply personal 20-minute sit-down with RMC Sport, Vitinha reflected on PSG’s journey to European glory—but it wasn’t just football tactics and title celebrations he discussed. The Portuguese international launched into a passionate and pointed critique of Messi’s time at the club, going so far as to say:
“This club doesn’t need Messi. He once called me a weak player, but look at what I’ve achieved without him.”
The comments have since gone viral, igniting fierce debates across sports media and social networks about Messi’s tenure in Paris and the impact—positive or negative—he had on the team’s younger core.
A Title Without the GOAT
For years, winning the Champions League was the elusive goal for PSG, one that slipped away even with world-class names like Neymar, Mbappé, and Messi. But in 2025, led by a reshaped squad built around youth, discipline, and tactical unity, PSG finally lifted the coveted trophy, defeating Manchester City in a dramatic 2–1 final.
Vitinha was at the heart of it all. The 24-year-old midfielder delivered standout performances throughout the knockout rounds, gaining plaudits for his vision, energy, and composure under pressure.
When asked how it felt to win the trophy after so many near misses during the Messi era, Vitinha didn’t hold back.
“People said we couldn’t do it without stars like Messi or Neymar. But those were just names. This year, we were a team. We trusted each other. We worked for each other.”
Revealing the Rift: “He Didn’t Respect Us”
Vitinha then pulled back the curtain on Messi’s controversial time in the French capital, offering insights that few had dared to share publicly.
“He didn’t respect us,” Vitinha claimed. “He looked down on many of the younger players. I remember he told me once, after a training session, that I wasn’t good enough for the Champions League. That stayed with me.”
The midfielder admitted those words hurt at the time but ultimately served as motivation.
“I won’t lie—it broke my confidence for a while. But then I thought, no one defines my worth except me. And this year, I proved it.”
Vitinha’s emotional delivery and tone suggested these memories had lingered long after Messi’s departure to Inter Miami. While many suspected tension behind the scenes during Messi’s PSG stint, this is the first time a player has publicly accused the football icon of personal disrespect.
Messi’s Time in Paris: A Legacy in Question
Messi joined PSG in 2021 amid global fanfare, but his time at the club was marred by inconsistency, injuries, and questions about motivation. Although he contributed goals and assists, especially in Ligue 1, he struggled to deliver decisive moments in Europe—a criticism he faced often in the French media.
There were also rumors of locker room divisions, especially between Messi and younger or less-established players. Vitinha’s interview seems to confirm long-held suspicions that the team spirit suffered during that era.
“Some of us felt invisible,” Vitinha said. “When you’re 21 and just trying to learn, the last thing you need is a legend making you feel like you don’t belong.”
PSG’s New Identity
PSG’s Champions League win marks a turning point not just in the club’s history, but in its identity. Gone are the days of relying solely on individual brilliance. Under coach Luis Enrique, the French champions have focused on discipline, tactical flexibility, and nurturing emerging talent.
Players like Vitinha, Warren Zaïre-Emery, and Randal Kolo Muani have become the new faces of PSG—young, fearless, and ready to write their own legacies.
“We’re not here to live in anyone’s shadow anymore,” Vitinha concluded. “We respect the past, but we’re the future.”
Public and Media Reaction
The interview has stirred massive reaction from fans and pundits alike. While some defended Messi, reminding the world of his legendary status and contributions, others applauded Vitinha for his honesty and courage.
Football journalist Julien Laurens tweeted:
“Huge from Vitinha. Whether you agree with him or not, it takes guts to speak your truth about a figure as towering as Messi.”
Meanwhile, Messi’s camp has yet to respond, and it’s unclear whether the Argentine will address the claims publicly. Given his current focus on Inter Miami and preparing for the upcoming Club World Cup, he may choose to stay silent.
Still, the damage is done. Vitinha’s words have sparked a reevaluation of Messi’s PSG chapter—a period many once viewed as a mere footnote in his career, now emerging as a stormy and divisive era.
What’s Next for Vitinha and PSG?
For Vitinha, the Champions League title is just the beginning. His emergence as a vocal leader and a symbol of PSG’s new era positions him as a cornerstone of the club’s future.
And for PSG fans? They finally have the European glory they’ve long craved—not with global superstars, but with players who fought, believed, and—above all—stood together.
