An incompletely formed player – or a talent quietly rotting on the bench? A well-advertised product – or just another cog in the machinery of agent-driven football? These are the labels that have followed Romualdas Jansonas in recent years, particularly among those who claim to understand the deeper layers of the game.
Was former Vilnius Žalgiris director and owner Vilma Venslovaitienė right when she openly stated that the player was not fully developed and perhaps even overrated? And what lies ahead now – does he truly have a future in Portugal, or could internal reshuffling within FK Žalgiris Vilnius and the return of influential figures like Žydrūnas Grudzinskas (the godfather of Jansonas) signal a path back to the capital?
These are the questions surrounding a career that, so far, has raised more doubts than answers.
Following the 2024 season, Jansonas’ sporting record alone left room for serious discussion. In 21 league appearances for Žalgiris, the Vilnius-born attacker failed to score a single goal. Yet, despite this, he still found himself among candidates for the Lithuanian national team.
His debut came in November 2024 in Larnaca, Cyprus, followed by another appearance just days later in Pristina, Kosovo. On paper, it looked like progress. In reality, it raised eyebrows. Was this a sporting decision – or did external influence play a role?
Attention inevitably shifts toward his representation. His agent, Kaunas-based lawyer Alan Gulbinas, operates within a network that extends beyond football. His father, Dainius Gulbinas, was linked to the betting company “Top Sport,” a key sponsor within Lithuanian football, supporting both the national federation and the top division.
However, since 2022, “Top Sport” has no longer officially supported Žalgiris. The reasons behind this shift remain unclear, but sources suggest they run deeper than simple disagreements. The trail, according to insiders, leads toward Cyprus – and potentially toward a breakdown in relations between club leadership and one of the most influential financial backers in Lithuanian sport.
Could that fallout have contributed to internal instability within the club? Could it even have cost Venslovaitienė her position? Or was it a calculated redistribution of influence, shifting football’s power centres toward Kaunas for a longer-term advantage?
The story does not end there.
There are growing questions about how some of the most talented players within the Žalgiris system were moved abroad in recent years – who orchestrated those deals, under what conditions, and who ultimately benefited. Future investigations promise to shed light on these mechanisms, including the role of individuals within the club’s internal structure responsible for financial operations.
Those close to the situation suggest that decisions made behind the scenes may have had lasting consequences – both for the club’s direction and for the careers of its players. Notably, figures within the former director’s inner circle, involved in financial oversight, may have influenced processes that later shaped key outcomes. After those events, the paths of the key individuals involved diverged. Coincidence? In football, rarely.
And as some observers point out, there are always individuals who remain close to the centre of power – regardless of changing leadership, clubs, or federation presidents. People who adapt, reposition, and continue to operate within the system. But that is a story for another time.
Returning to Jansonas himself, his career took a decisive turn in early 2025. After leaving Žalgiris following an underwhelming spell, he joined Kauno Žalgiris – a move that quickly turned into a stepping stone. Soon after, he was transferred to FC Arouca for a reported €150,000.
The question remains: was this the beginning of a long-term European journey – or another carefully constructed move driven by perception rather than performance?
To better understand the reality on the pitch, insight comes from João Prates, a UEFA PRO licensed coach with experience in Lithuania and a deep understanding of Portuguese football.
His assessment is clear. He explains that often struggle to adapt abroad. Portugal – even at third-tier level – demands significantly higher intensity, tactical discipline, and daily professionalism than what most players experience in Lithuania. This is not a matter of opinion—it is the reality of the environment.
Adaptation is not just tactical; it is cultural. Training sessions are faster, expectations are relentless, and mistakes are punished immediately. Players arriving from less demanding leagues often experience a shock, and for many, that becomes the defining obstacle in their development.
In Portugal, there is no room for passive growth. You either deliver quickly – or you lose your place. And for players like Jansonas, one thing matters above all: minutes. So far, he has not found them.
Since his move to Portugal in August 2025, his playing time has been minimal. In the Primeira Liga with Arouca, he has featured in just two matches, accumulating only 46 minutes of playing time. A loan move in February to CF Os Belenenses in Liga 3 has not significantly improved the situation – two matches, just 22 minutes on the pitch.
In the Taça de Portugal, he made a brief six-minute appearance against Portimonense SC. His last recorded appearance came on March 1, when he played 15 minutes after coming off the bench. The numbers are stark.
At youth international level, the picture is somewhat different – but not without warning signs. Within Lithuania’s U-21 setup, Jansonas continues to receive opportunities, often with little direct competition for his position. However, the lack of consistent club football has already begun to show.
Against stronger opposition, such as Turkey and Croatia, he struggled to impose himself and was physically and tactically outmatched. In the most recent match against Ukraine, he was substituted in the 72nd minute, replaced by Jonas Usavičius – a player benefiting from regular playing time and visible form. The contrast is difficult to ignore.
Jansonas’ loan deal with Belenenses runs until June 30, while his contract with Arouca extends until the summer of 2030. On paper, the future remains secure.
But football is not played on paper. Without minutes, development stalls. Without development, narratives form. And once those narratives take hold, they are difficult to change.
Romualdas Jansonas now finds himself at a crossroads – between potential and stagnation, between opportunity and uncertainty.
And as the debate continues, one question grows louder:
Perhaps Vilma Venslovaitienė was right all along.
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