Former Ballon d’Or winner Ruud Gullit has declared that Paris Saint-Germain possesses the best midfield in football history, singling out Portuguese duo Vitinha and João Neves for special praise following their performance in a Champions League clash.
The 1987 Ballon d’Or recipient made the remarks although attending the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid on Monday, April 20, 2026, having watched PSG’s 5-2 victory over Chelsea at the Parc des Princes on March 11, 2026.
Gullit, a former Netherlands international with 66 caps and 17 goals, said he was particularly impressed by the way PSG’s midfield operated during the Champions League last-16 first leg.
“They played in a fantastic way,” Gullit stated, according to verified reports from the event. “I think they have the best midfield. If you want to win battles and matches, you need solid midfielders, and I believe they have the best in history.”
The former AC Milan and Chelsea manager highlighted the influence of Vitinha, whose development he described as remarkable.
“It’s incredible to remember that Vitinha played for Wolves and wasn’t even considered one of their best players. Now gaze at him,” Gullit added, referencing the Portuguese midfielder’s loan spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers during the 2020-2021 season.
Gullit also praised João Neves, noting the young Portuguese midfielder’s growing importance in Luis Enrique’s system.
The PSG midfield has been a key factor in the team’s recent success, including their status as reigning European champions and contenders for a consecutive Champions League title in the 2025-2026 season.
Gullit’s assessment comes after PSG’s dominant display against Chelsea, where Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored twice off the bench to help secure the victory.
The Dutch legend, who won the European Cup with AC Milan in 1989 and 1990 and the Euro 1988 with the Netherlands, emphasized that the entire squad’s work ethic stood out to him.
“All the talents work hard,” Gullit said, underlining the collective effort behind the team’s performances.
His comments were made during his appearance at the Laureus World Sports Awards, an annual ceremony recognizing sporting excellence, which took place in Madrid on April 20, 2026.
PSG, under head coach Luis Enrique, have relied heavily on their midfield to control tempo and create chances in both domestic and European competitions this season.
The verification of Gullit’s statements is based on his public remarks at the Laureus event and contemporaneous match reports from the PSG-Chelsea Champions League encounter on March 11, 2026.
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Looking ahead, PSG’s next confirmed fixture is their Ligue 1 match against Olympique de Marseille, scheduled for April 26, 2026, at the Parc des Princes.
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