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Nuno Mendes (footballer, born 2002)

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For other people named Nuno Mendes, see Nuno Mendes (disambiguation).
In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Tavares and the second or paternal family name is Mendes.
Nuno Mendes
Mendes with Sporting CP in 2021
Personal information
Full name Nuno Alexandre Tavares Mendes[1]
Date of birth (2002-06-19) 19 June 2002 (age 22)[1]
Place of birth Sintra, Portugal
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s) Left-back
Team information
Current team
 Paris Saint-Germain
(on loan from Sporting CP)
Number 25
Youth career
2011–2012 Despertar
2012–2020 Sporting CP
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020– Sporting CP 40 (1)
2021– → Paris Saint-Germain (loan) 27 (0)
International career‡
2018 Portugal U16 3 (0)
2018 Portugal U17 3 (0)
2019 Portugal U18 3 (0)
2019 Portugal U19 5 (0)
2020– Portugal U21 4 (0)
2021– Portugal 13 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:40, 14 May 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:24, 29 March 2022 (UTC)

Nuno Alexandre Tavares Mendes (Portuguese pronunciation: [nunu mẽdɨʃ]; born 19 June 2002) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain, on loan from Primeira Liga club Sporting CP, and the Portugal national team.

Coming through Sporting CP's youth academy, he made his first-team debut in 2020, and in the following year, he won a double of the Primeira Liga and Taça da Liga, while being named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year. In August 2021, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain on a one-year loan deal.

Mendes is a former Portugal youth international, representing his country at various levels. He made his full debut in 2021, and was chosen in the squad for Euro 2020.

Club career

Early career

Born in Sintra, Lisbon District of Angolan descent,[2] Mendes started playing football aged 9,[3] and his idols growing up were Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, David Alaba and Marcelo, the two last players being the ones he tried to emulate.[3] He would be spotted by his school teacher Bruno Botelho, who invited him to play for local club Despertar on the outskirts of Lisbon.[3] He quickly stood out, subsequently catching the eye of Benfica, Porto and Sporting CP and joining the latter's youth system at the age of 10.[3][4][5]

During his scouting process, as he returned home from school, Mendes realised he was being followed by a man. For fear of being robbed, he ran home, located in a very poor neighbourhood; the "stalker" was actually a Sporting scout, who later convinced him to sign.[6] He spent the next four years making a two-hour round trip in order to train every night with his teacher, before moving to Sporting's academy at the age of 14.[3]

Mendes initially played as an attacking midfielder before being converted to a left-back, a position he struggled with in the beginning.[3]

Sporting CP

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in February, which brought a premature end to the youth football season, Mendes was one of a small group of youth players to be called up to the first team by manager Rúben Amorim, despite having only played once since November due to an injury.[3] He made his professional debut in a 1–0 Primeira Liga home win against Paços de Ferreira on 12 June 2020, as a 72nd-minute substitute for Marcos Acuña.[7][8][3]

After the latter left for Sevilla in the 2020 off-season, Mendes became first choice at only 18, becoming the youngest player to make the club's starting XI since Cristiano Ronaldo in September 2002;[9][3] he went onto start six of his side's seven remaining league matches.[3] He scored his first competitive goal for them on 4 October of the same year, in the 2–0 away victory over Portimonense.[10]

Mendes agreed to a contract extension on 19 December 2020, increasing his buyout clause from €45 million to €70 million.[11] He played 29 games for the eventual champions, while also being named in the Team of the Year.[12][13]

On 31 July 2021, Mendes provided an assist for Jovane Cabral in the 2–1 defeat of Braga and conquest of the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira.[14]

Paris Saint-Germain

On 31 August 2021, Mendes joined Paris Saint-Germain on a season-long loan with an option to buy.[15] He made his Ligue 1 debut for the club on 11 September, coming on as a 85th-minute substitute in a 4–0 defeat of Clermont.[16] He appeared in his first game in the UEFA Champions League four days later, replacing Abdou Diallo 75 minutes into a 1–1 draw away to Club Brugge in the group stage;[17] he had an instant impact on the pitch, notably making a "brilliant" run to set up a shooting opportunity for Lionel Messi at the 77th minute.[18] He made his first start later that month, in a 2–1 win over Lyon.[19]

International career

Mendes earned his first cap for Portugal at under-21 level shortly after having made his club debut, in a 4–0 win in Cyprus for the 2021 UEFA European Championship qualifiers on 4 September 2020.[20][21] Previously, he represented the nation's under-16, under-17, under-18 and under-19s.[4]

Six months later, Mendes was called up to the senior team by manager Fernando Santos for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Azerbaijan, Luxembourg and Serbia,[22][23] and subsequently removed from the under-21 squad due to appear in the finals.[24] He first appeared with the former on 24 March 2021, playing the entire 1–0 victory against Azerbaijan.[25]

Mendes was selected for UEFA Euro 2020,[26] playing no games in a round-of-16 exit.[27][28] Santos later revealed that he had planned to use him alongside Raphaël Guerreiro during the tournament, but could not do so due to injury problems.[29]

Style of play

Known mainly for his offensive capabilities, speed, and technical qualities, Mendes plays mainly as a left-sided attacking full-back or wing-back, which allows him to create danger either from a standing start or whilst on the counter-attack. Apart from his dribbling, he boasts an excellent crossing ability whether tightly marked or open in space, and his physical prowess allows him to beat out opponents to the ball either with his speed or strength. He is also capable of anticipating attacks and cutting in front of a pass and winning the ball back.[30]

Despite his ability going forward, however, the defensive side of Mendes's game has been brought into question by pundits on occasion, who have cited the inconsistency on his decision-making in front of goal, positioning and awareness as areas of weakness in need of improvement.[30]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 14 May 2022[31]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sporting CP 2019–20 Primeira Liga 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
2020–21 Primeira Liga 29 1 2 0 2 0 2[a] 0 — 35 1
2021–22 Primeira Liga 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[b] 0 3 0
Total 40 1 2 0 2 0 2 0 1 0 47 1
Paris Saint-Germain (loan) 2021–22 Ligue 1 27 0 2 0 — 8[c] 0 — 37 0
Career total 67 1 4 0 2 0 10 0 1 0 84 1
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ Appearance in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League

International

As of match played 29 March 2022[32]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Portugal 2021 11 0
2022 2 0
Total 13 0

Honours

Sporting CP

Paris Saint-Germain

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b c "Nuno Mendes" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  2. ^ Granada, Ricardo (31 July 2020). "Nuno Mendes: "O meu pai estaria orgulhoso de mim"" [Nuno Mendes: "My father would be proud of me"]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Maston, Tom (20 October 2020). "Nuno Mendes: The wonderkid left-back with Ronaldinho's skills on Man Utd's radar". Goal. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  4. ^ a b Ribeiro, Alexandre (19 May 2020). "Nuno Mendes, o futuro dono da lateral esquerda dos leões" [Nuno Mendes, the future owner of the Lions' left-back berth] (in Portuguese). O Ambidestro. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  5. ^ Novo, David (19 June 2020). "Acordar para o sonho: a história do início de Nuno Mendes no futebol" [Waking up to the dream: the story of Nuno Mendes' football beginnings]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  6. ^ Andrade, Bruno (8 January 2021). "Quando o Sporting bateu à porta de Nuno Mendes: não era assalto, era oportunidade de vida" [When Sporting knocked on Nuno Mendes's door: it wasn't a robbery, it was a chance for life] (in Portuguese). Goal. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Sporting bate Paços de Ferreira com grande golo de Jovane" [Sporting beat Paços de Ferreira with great Jovane goal]. Record (in Portuguese). 12 June 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Nuno Mendes estreou-se aos 17 anos pela equipa principal do Sporting" [Nuno Mendes made debut for Sporting's first team aged 17]. Record (in Portuguese). 12 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  9. ^ Tornesi, Duarte; Gomes, Rui Miguel (7 September 2020). "Dois "tubarões" perguntaram por Nuno Mendes: eis a resposta do Sporting" [Two "sharks" asked about Nuno Mendes: here's what Sporting replied]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  10. ^ Roseiro, Bruno (4 October 2020). "Nuno Mendes não desiste. Por ele e pelo clube (a crónica do Portimonense-Sporting)" [Nuno Mendes does not quit. For him and for club (Portimonense-Sporting match report)]. Observador (in Portuguese). Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  11. ^ "Inter linked Nuno Mendes extends contract with Sporting Lisbon, Portuguese media report". One Football. 19 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  12. ^ a b Kundert, Tom (11 May 2021). "10 reasons why Sporting are Champions of Portugal". PortuGOAL. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  13. ^ "João Palhinha, do Sporting, no melhor onze da última edição da I Liga" [João Palhinha, of Sporting, in the All-Star XI of I League's last edition] (in Portuguese). TSF. 8 June 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Sporting vence Braga de virada e conquista Supertaça de Portugal" [Sporting beat Braga with comeback and win Portuguese Supercup] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 31 July 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  15. ^ "Nuno Mendes joins Paris Saint-Germain". Paris Saint-Germain F.C. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ "Debuts for Donnarumma, Nuno Mendes and Bitumazal". Paris Saint-Germain F.C. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ Bysouth, Alex (15 September 2021). "Club Bruges 1–1 Paris Saint Germain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  18. ^ Sarkar, Uttiyo (15 September 2021). "PSG player ratings vs Club Brugge: Messi's march to 5th UCL trophy begins". High Press Soccer. Retrieved 15 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "Paris pip Lyon at the post!". Paris Saint-Germain F.C. 19 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ "Rui Jorge estreia três jogadores do Sporting e um do Benfica nos sub-21" [Rui Jorge gives debut to three Sporting players and one from Benfica in under-21s]. O Minho (in Portuguese). 24 August 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  21. ^ "Sub21: Portugal goleia em Chipre e Diogo Leite bisa" [Under21: Portugal rout in Cyprus and Diogo Leite grabs brace] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  22. ^ "Fernando Santos convoca Portugal e exalta Cristiano Ronaldo: "Tem o sonho de vencer a Copa"" [Fernando Santos calls Portugal and praises Cristiano Ronaldo: "He dreams of winning the Cup"] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  23. ^ Kundert, Tom (16 March 2021). "Sporting duo Nuno Mendes and João Palhinha called into Portugal squad as Cédric earns recall". PortuGOAL. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  24. ^ "Os convocados de Portugal para o Europeu sub-21" [Portugal's squad for under-21 Euro]. Público (in Portuguese). 15 March 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  25. ^ "Portugal beat Azerbaijan 1–0 in opening World Cup qualifier". PortuGOAL. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  26. ^ "Portugal Euro 2020 squad update: full team preview". FourFourTwo. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ^ Fernandes, Mariana (10 June 2021). "Euro 2020 (grupo F). Portugal, o campeão que leva mala, tabaco e qualidade como nunca para só voltar daqui a um mês" [Euro 2020 (group F). Portugal, the champions who take suitcase, cigarettes and talent like never before to return only a month later]. Observador (in Portuguese). Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  28. ^ "Belgium 1–0 Portugal: Holders dethroned by Thorgan Hazard". UEFA. 27 June 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  29. ^ "Fernando Santos explica não utilização de Nuno Mendes e Pote no Euro'2020" [Fernando Santos explains why Nuno Mendes and Pote were not used in Euro'2020]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 27 June 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  30. ^ a b Silva, Jaime (17 April 2021). "Player analysis: Nuno Mendes". Breaking The Lines. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  31. ^ Nuno Mendes at Soccerway
  32. ^ "Nuno Mendes". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  33. ^ Ribeiro, Patrick (23 January 2021). "Sporting battle their way to League Cup glory with victory over Braga". PortuGOAL. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  34. ^ "Sporting CP win Supertaça with victory over SC Braga". Sporting CP. 31 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  35. ^ Bosher, Luke; Whitehead, Jacob (23 April 2022). "PSG crowned Ligue 1 champions after draw against Lens". The Athletic. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  36. ^ "Presenting the Liga NOS Team of the Year!". Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  37. ^ "IFFHS MEN'S YOUTH (U20) WORLD TEAM OF THE YEAR 2021". International Federation of Football History & Statistics. 9 December 2021. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  38. ^ "Kylian Mbappé named Ligue 1 player of the year". Get French Football News. 15 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.

[[Category:Portuguese expatriate sportspeople in France]

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