Vitinha wants to qualify now and admits he's happy about the Ballon d'Or

Midfielder Vitinha said today that he was “delighted” with third place in the Ballon d’Or and confirmed that Portugal wants to take advantage and guarantee qualification for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday against Hungary.

"I was thrilled to qualify for the Ballon d'Or. It wouldn't have been possible without the teamwork. I'm very happy and grateful to everyone who helped me. If I ever do better, even better. Nothing has changed. Maybe I'm happier in my day-to-day life. My family and friends are too," said Vitinha.

The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder was speaking to journalists at the Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras, during a press conference ahead of the match against the Hungarians, on the fourth day of Group F of the qualifying round for the next World Cup.

Portugal leads the group with nine points and another victory in Alvalade, and a draw or defeat for Armenia in Ireland will guarantee Portugal's ninth appearance in the final stage of a World Cup, and seventh in a row.

"We have this firmly in mind. We can already seal our place. Being in the final stages is already a habit, but it's not easy. We also have a great opportunity to make the November internship more relaxed. We'll give it our all," he assured.

Regarding the goal of winning the next World Cup, Vitinha was clear and considered that Portugal always has the “responsibility to aim high”.

"We have to admit that we have a team with great players, filled with stars who play all over Europe and the world for big clubs. Therefore, we must always aim high. We must always look to the big goals because we have the quality to achieve them," he emphasized.

Regarding the match against Hungary, which the Portuguese team already won in September in Budapest (3-2), the 25-year-old player admitted that the 'quinas' team has had difficulties against teams that play with lower blocks.

"In the first game, Hungary used a low block, always expecting a counterattack. We're warned and know the damage they can do to us," he concluded.

Portugal-Hungary is scheduled for 7:45 pm on Tuesday, at the José Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, and will be refereed by Serbian Srdjan Jovanovic.

The Portuguese team leads Group F with five more points than Hungary, now in second place, followed by Armenia, with three, and Ireland, which has just one.

The group winner automatically secures a spot in next year's tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, which will feature 48 teams for the first time. The runner-up will have to compete in the qualifying playoffs.

Midfielder Vitinha said today that he was “delighted” with third place in the Ballon d’Or and confirmed that Portugal wants to take advantage and guarantee qualification for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday against Hungary.

"I was thrilled to qualify for the Ballon d'Or. It wouldn't have been possible without the teamwork. I'm very happy and grateful to everyone who helped me. If I ever do better, even better. Nothing has changed. Maybe I'm happier in my day-to-day life. My family and friends are too," said Vitinha.

The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder was speaking to journalists at the Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras, during a press conference ahead of the match against the Hungarians, on the fourth day of Group F of the qualifying round for the next World Cup.

Portugal leads the group with nine points and another victory in Alvalade, and a draw or defeat for Armenia in Ireland will guarantee Portugal's ninth appearance in the final stage of a World Cup, and seventh in a row.

"We have this firmly in mind. We can already seal our place. Being in the final stages is already a habit, but it's not easy. We also have a great opportunity to make the November internship more relaxed. We'll give it our all," he assured.

Regarding the goal of winning the next World Cup, Vitinha was clear and considered that Portugal always has the “responsibility to aim high”.

"We have to admit that we have a team with great players, filled with stars who play all over Europe and the world for big clubs. Therefore, we must always aim high. We must always look to the big goals because we have the quality to achieve them," he emphasized.

Regarding the match against Hungary, which the Portuguese team already won in September in Budapest (3-2), the 25-year-old player admitted that the 'quinas' team has had difficulties against teams that play with lower blocks.

"In the first game, Hungary used a low block, always expecting a counterattack. We're warned and know the damage they can do to us," he concluded.

Portugal-Hungary is scheduled for 7:45 pm on Tuesday, at the José Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, and will be refereed by Serbian Srdjan Jovanovic.

The Portuguese team leads Group F with five more points than Hungary, now in second place, followed by Armenia, with three, and Ireland, which has just one.

The group winner automatically secures a spot in next year's tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, which will feature 48 teams for the first time. The runner-up will have to compete in the qualifying playoffs.

Midfielder Vitinha said today that he was “delighted” with third place in the Ballon d’Or and confirmed that Portugal wants to take advantage and guarantee qualification for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday against Hungary.

"I was thrilled to qualify for the Ballon d'Or. It wouldn't have been possible without the teamwork. I'm very happy and grateful to everyone who helped me. If I ever do better, even better. Nothing has changed. Maybe I'm happier in my day-to-day life. My family and friends are too," said Vitinha.

The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder was speaking to journalists at the Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras, during a press conference ahead of the match against the Hungarians, on the fourth day of Group F of the qualifying round for the next World Cup.

Portugal leads the group with nine points and another victory in Alvalade, and a draw or defeat for Armenia in Ireland will guarantee Portugal's ninth appearance in the final stage of a World Cup, and seventh in a row.

"We have this firmly in mind. We can already seal our place. Being in the final stages is already a habit, but it's not easy. We also have a great opportunity to make the November internship more relaxed. We'll give it our all," he assured.

Regarding the goal of winning the next World Cup, Vitinha was clear and considered that Portugal always has the “responsibility to aim high”.

"We have to admit that we have a team with great players, filled with stars who play all over Europe and the world for big clubs. Therefore, we must always aim high. We must always look to the big goals because we have the quality to achieve them," he emphasized.

Regarding the match against Hungary, which the Portuguese team already won in September in Budapest (3-2), the 25-year-old player admitted that the 'quinas' team has had difficulties against teams that play with lower blocks.

"In the first game, Hungary used a low block, always expecting a counterattack. We're warned and know the damage they can do to us," he concluded.

Portugal-Hungary is scheduled for 7:45 pm on Tuesday, at the José Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, and will be refereed by Serbian Srdjan Jovanovic.

The Portuguese team leads Group F with five more points than Hungary, now in second place, followed by Armenia, with three, and Ireland, which has just one.

The group winner automatically secures a spot in next year's tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, which will feature 48 teams for the first time. The runner-up will have to compete in the qualifying playoffs.