“He’ll be the next Ballon d’Or winner” - Thomas Frank backs 25-year-old star for award ahead of Haaland, Mbappe and Yamal after UCL display

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has singled out Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) midfielder Vitinha for praise, predicting that he will receive the next Ballon d'Or. The Portugal international netted a hat-trick for the reigning champions as they defeated Tottenham 5-3 on Wednesday.

Former Brentford boss Frank tasted a first defeat in the UEFA Champions League this season at the Parc des Princes in Paris, with his side tasting a second successive defeat. He spoke with TNT Sports after the game, revealing that he considers Vitinha to be the world's best midfielder. He also tipped the 25-year-old to receive the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

"Vitinha puts it in the top corner, in that situation, is very tricky. And then the two goals, three and four, we can't concede them if you want to win here. By the way, Vitinha, best midfielder in the world, he'll be the next Ballon d'Or winner for me", he said (via TNT Sports Football).

Former Wolves midfielder Vitinha has grown in leaps and bounds since the start of the 2024-25 season to emerge as one of the world's best. He played a key role for PSG as they emerged as the champions of Europe for the first time last season as part of their treble, and helped Portugal to win the UEFA Nations League.

Vitinha finished third in the 2025 Ballon d'Or rankings, only behind Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal. The midfielder was ahead of the likes of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe in the rankings, and has been tipped to be the next winner.

Ballon d'Or winner returns as PSG defeat Tottenham

Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele returned to action for PSG as they ran out 5-3 winners at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League. Les Parisiens claimed a fourth win of the season in the competition to climb up to second on the log.

Dembele had been out of action for the European champions since playing in the defeat to Bayern Munich at the start of the month. The 28-year-old came on for the final 11 minutes in front of his home fans, ending his three-week layoff.

Goals from Vitinha (3), Fabian Ruiz, and Willian Pacho handed PSG, who had Lucas Hernandez sent off in stoppage time, the win. A Randal Kolo Miami brace and an earlier goal from Richarlison ensured that Tottenham made the tie competitive at the home of the European champions.