Vitinha Fails to Shine at World Cup 2026, Spanish Media Blame Roberto Martínez

Vitinha's performance for the national team is a far cry from what he delivers at PSG, where he's considered one of the world's top playmakers. The midfielder has had a subdued World Cup campaign, mirroring the rest of the squad, raising questions about whether the issue lies with the player or Portugal's tactical setup. In Spain, the newspaper AS points the finger at Roberto Martínez.

"Vitinha is no longer Vitinha. Or Portugal isn't managing to harness Vitinha's qualities. One of the two. There's no trace of the player who captivated the world with the quality of his football. João Neves himself is no longer an undisputed starter (he began on the bench against Colombia), while a more positional midfielder like Rúben Neves, whom Roberto Martínez favors so much, has far less mobility and ultimately restricts Vitinha. Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, plays much further from the build-up zone than the PSG midfielder would like to link up with him. In this scenario, Vitinha's creative power fades," reads AS.

The Spanish daily suggests that Roberto Martínez's tactical ecosystem doesn't seem to favor Vitinha in the same way Luis Enrique's does at PSG, and highlights the criticism the Portuguese team has received throughout the World Cup.

"For many, it's been the biggest disappointment of the World Cup. They finished second in their group, behind Colombia. Portugal didn't lose their last match against the Colombians, but they were completely dominated and only escaped defeat thanks to a millimeter-perfect offside call. Their next challenge will be Croatia, and if they win, they'll likely face Spain," concludes AS.