By Aleks Klosok, Amanda Davies, CNN
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) — When Portugal begins its World Cup campaign in Houston on June 17, two names will be at the forefront of Seleção midfielder Vitinha’s mind: Diogo Jota and André Silva.
Memories of their sudden, tragic passing a mere six months ago remain raw for the humble, dignified 25-year-old who was a close friend of the brothers.
“It’s difficult to talk about it,” he told CNN Sports after winning the Best Midfielder Award at the recent Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“Nobody wants to be in this kind of situation. It was a sad and tragic loss for everyone.
“Mainly, I imagine what it is like for, for the parents, for the wife, for the children… that’s what I think about the most when I think about him.”
For the talented midfielder, the brothers’ enduring memory will be a source of personal and collective motivation as Portugal goes for glory at this summer tournament.
“We feel this and we want to win it, not just because it’s a World Cup and it’s everybody’s dream, but for him as well.”
Title contenders
It’s a dream the midfielder hopes to realize following the nightmare exit he and his compatriots experienced at the last World Cup in Qatar: a stunning defeat to Morocco in the quarterfinals.
He acknowledges that, on that particular day, the Atlas Lions “deserved it, they were better” but is full of praise for how he and his teammates have bounced back since then, underlined with a statement victory against Spain in last summer’s UEFA Nations League final.
And when it comes the discussion of which teams stand a realistic chance of winning the biggest prize in world soccer this summer, he’s in little doubt that Portugal is firmly in the conversation.
“We are one of the best national teams there are, so of course it’s realistic,” he says confidently.
“We have to keep our feet on the ground. We have to think it’s not easy to do it.
“I think we can go far. I think we are one of the candidates, but I won’t put us as favorites.”
Challenging conditions
While soccer prowess will be a key factor in determining the eventual winner, high temperatures and the addition of more fixtures courtesy of an expanded tournament will add more difficulties to the task at hand.
Vitinha himself had first-hand experience of the challenges to come having played a prominent role in the Paris Saint-Germain team that reached the final of last summer’s inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
“I loved it there, but it’s really difficult with the heat and charge of the games that we have throughout the season to be there to have to win every game, to do our 100% in every duel, in every game, in every ball,” he recounts.
“We arrive there with our biggest goal to win the World Cup.
“I think the team that will be most prepared for it physically and mentally will thrive.”
Enrique influence
Thrive is exactly what Vitinha has done under the stewardship of manager Luis Enrique at PSG.
Once a role player with Les Parisiens, since the arrival of the Spanish coach in the summer of 2023, the midfielder has become an integral figure in the team’s setup.
In dictating the tempo and direction of play, he ha