PSG: the heavy burden of Gonçalo Ramos

Gonçalo Ramos didn't just make friends at the Vélodrome. Coming on in place of Kylian Mbappé shortly after the hour mark, the Portuguese sealed PSG's victory by concluding a counter-attack led by Hakimi and Asensio. His celebration, a mix between a gunslinger who doesn't miss his target, then hands stuck behind his ears, earned him a few thrown objects. “It’s part of a game, people have to accept my celebration, I don’t think it’s disrespectful and it’s part of the game.” We can understand his joy at having scored on the rival club's pitch, especially as his year 2024 begins to become consistent.

Of the 10 goals scored with PSG (+ 1 assist in 31 matches in all competitions), 7 have been since January 1. If he is a regular substitute in Luis Enrique's mind, his playing time and his success in front of goal are constantly improving. “The coach’s choices? I think the result is more important than the rest.” Even in front of the press, the striker on loan from Benfica, and whose purchase option has already been exercised (€65 million, plus €15 million in possible bonuses) with a view to next season, puts the collective before his personal situation. A real team player, just like Luis Enrique likes.

Successful in 2024

Starting in 3 of the first 4 Coupe de France matches, the Lusitanian international has a chance of starting this semi-final this evening against Stade Rennais at the Parc des Princes. This competition has been smiling on him from the start with 3 achievements. As since the start of the season, it is between him and Randal Kolo Muani, also in better shape lately. The one who is under contract until 2028 has come a long way, however. In addition to the change in environment and the greater competition in Paris than in Lisbon, his first months in France were weighed down by this virus transformed into a colon infection which he suffered this winter.

“I spent 20 days bleeding and vomiting, unable to eat, and with very high fevers. I ended up going to the hospital four or five times and being put on a drip. I lost eight kilos and I was in the middle of an adaptation period in France, so this mishap didn't help.explained the 22-year-old during the last international break to Record. An episode which inevitably marked him but Ramos made the events one of the driving forces of his career. In Portugal, everyone agrees that he is not the most talented. Above all, he needs work, to repeat the exercises again and again to demonstrate his qualities on the field.

Called to take over from CR7 in selection, and from Mbappé at PSG

He is one of those players who can quickly lose confidence but his work will always prevail. He is not particularly fast, with or without the ball, nor does he have a physique that would make opposing defenses tremble, and he is not a technical prodigy. He is more in the category of distinguished scorers, those who transform their opportunities into one or two touches of the ball. The Portuguese will probably never be a candidate for the Ballon d'Or, however, he has a unique objective in the world. He has the very heavy responsibility of taking the place of Cristiano Ronaldo in the selection, and Kylian Mbappé at PSG.

A weight so great on his frail shoulders that he manages to carry part of it. During the World Cup, he finished as a starter instead of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, scoring a hat-trick against Switzerland in the round of 16. This time, he takes advantage of the method of Luis Enrique, who does not hesitate to do without the services of Mbappé, arguing that we must prepare well for next season. “Sooner or later, at some point, we will have to learn to play without Kylian”repeats the Spanish coach. “I want my players to say to themselves: ‘when I start, I have to take advantage of it’. I will continue to be demanding”he said after Reims, very satisfied with the attitude of a goalscoring Ramos.