LIGUE 1
PSG’s Vitinha denies threatening to leave over bust-up with Inter Miami star Lionel Messi
The Portuguese midfielder was reportedly called “weak” by the Argentina captain in January, which he claims didn’t happen.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha has taken to social media platform X to strenuously deny claims in the French media that he had asked to leave the club after an argument with current Inter Miami star Lionel Messi. L’Équipe had reported that the Argentine superstar told his ex-teammate last January: “Not only are you weak, but you’re hurting me”.
Messi argument “completely false”
The Portuguese, however, has categorically rejected suggestions that such a disagreement took place, saying “I don’t usually comment on anything in the press, but this time I have to say it. It is completely false that this happened”.
PSG endured a torrid second half of the season in 2022-23, crashing out of the Champions League in the round of 16 to Bayern Munich and suffering a number of surprise defeats, which nevertheless didn’t prevent them from winning Ligue 1.
Vitinha takes central role in “new” PSG, without Messi
While Messi is the one who ultimately left the club, Vitinha has become one of new head coach Luis Enrique’s most important players at the start of the season. In the UEFA Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, he set up a goal for Achraf Hakimi, almost scored himself with a shot off the post and was named MVP. Initially signed by PSG’s sports advisor Luis Campos, who is extremely familiar with the Portuguese market, the 23-year-old is now considered one of the first names on the team sheet.
Vitinha, who has won 11 caps for Portugal, signed for the Parisians from Porto in June 2022 and has made a total of 54 appearances, scoring two goals.