Vicinha stands out as a remarkable player for one of Europe’s leading teams. When the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, he’ll be focused on sharpening Portugal’s midfield with hopes of securing their first World Cup title. At just 26, he has reached elite status since joining Paris Saint-Germain four years back, finishing third in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting and heading into the World Cup as a finalist for Best Midfielder.
His journey at PSG didn’t start smoothly, but Vicinha quickly became a crucial part of the squad. He has a unique talent for managing the pace of play, while also creating space and opportunities for his teammates through his excellent passing and vision. He plays a pivotal role in almost every offensive move, and he’s also quite adept at scoring from long range.
Vicinha really flourished under Luis Enrique’s management, which began three years ago. The PSG coach completely trusts Vicinha’s game-reading abilities, giving him the freedom to maintain possession and dictate play—essentially mirroring the role he fulfills for Portugal under Roberto Martinez, who has similar expectations of him on the international stage.
Convey success and achievements to Portugal
Though he’s still relatively new on the international scene—having played only one match and a total of 118 minutes during the 2022 World Cup, helping Portugal reach the quarter-finals—Vicinha’s importance has grown significantly since then. He is now one of the first names Roberto Martinez considers for the lineup.
In all likelihood, Vicinha will join forces with his PSG teammate Joao Neves and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes in midfield. While Fernandes will be channeling his efforts into creating and finishing opportunities, Vicinha will focus on delivering the ball to him at optimal moments.
Portugal at the World Cup
Portugal may not be the favorite going into the World Cup, but they certainly possess the skills necessary to make a deep run. It’s clear that Vicinha’s capacity to control the game and significantly elevate his team’s performance will be vital for Portugal’s fortunes. He seems quite certain, by the end of the tournament, about who the world’s best midfielder will be.
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