Midfielder Vitinha has firmly declared Portugal’s absolute objective to win the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. In an official interview published by FIFA today, the 26-year-old Paris Saint-Germain star praised the profound depth of the current Portuguese squad while emphasizing that lifting the iconic trophy will require a blend of relentless hard work and necessary tournament fortune.
Reflecting on his personal evolution over the past two years, Vitinha acknowledged his increasingly central role within a national team that will arrive in North America boasting a potent mix of experience, youth, raw quality, and grit.
“I feel I have a more active, more important role in the national team than before,” Vitinha confessed. “This will be my second World Cup, but I hope to log more minutes and play a much bigger part on the pitch.”
During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar under former manager Fernando Santos, Vitinha was limited to just 119 minutes across three appearances. However, following the appointment of Spanish tactician Roberto Martínez, the midfielder cemented his status as an indispensable starter during Euro 2024. Martínez is scheduled to officially announce his final 26-man World Cup roster this coming Tuesday.
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When questioned about the impact of team captain Cristiano Ronaldo, Vitinha credited the legendary forward with teaching him to approach football with unwavering professionalism and seriousness. He openly admitted that the entire squad is highly motivated to secure the world title not just for the nation, but for their captain’s historic legacy.
“He is one of the greatest players in football history. I am incredibly proud to share a locker room with him and witness his guidance firsthand. I hope we can win the World Cup with him, and for him as well,” Vitinha stated.
Vitinha, alongside Paris Saint-Germain teammates Nuno Mendes, João Neves, and Gonçalo Ramos, will be among the last players to join Portugal’s training camp. The contingent is scheduled to fly to Budapest to face Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final on May 30.
Portugal has been drawn into Group K for the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
