Already one of Europe’s most feared attacking full-backs, it is easy to forget that Nuno Mendes is just 20 years old.
The Portuguese international’s combative attitude and scary turn of pace have ensured he has very much become Paris Saint-Germain’s first choice at left-back since arriving in Ligue 1 Uber Eats a year ago.
“The system we play suits him,” Paris coach Christophe Galtier told The Ligue 1 Show on beIN Sports. “He’s technically very strong and he gets forward well. He listens well and works hard. Let’s hope he doesn’t get carried away because his game still needs perfecting, but I am of course satisfied with what he has done so far this season.”
Mendes will be looking to boost his statistics this season, having registered just one assist in his first campaign in French football. The rapid defender has already doubled that tally, and is now looking to start scoring goals himself in a high-flying team.
“You always look to score goals and to provide assists. It’s vital to help the team as much as you can. If you don’t score, then assisting goals is the next best thing. Making the difference going forward is the most important thing,” Mendes said.
Portuguese accent
The former Sporting full-back laid on one goal in the recent 5-2 win over Montpellier Hérault SC for his compatriot Renato Sanches, who was making his debut after arriving from LOSC Lille. Indeed, with Vitinha also joining over the summer, there are now four Portuguese internationals in the Parisian squad, providing Mendes with the ideal surroundings to continue his career progression.
“It’s great to have people you know well with you at club level. It’s important for me, and it’s good for them too. When I arrived, Danilo (Pereira) was here. Now that the new boys are here too, Danilo and I can help them settle,” Mendes said.
Despite being a defender, Mendes is perhaps the trickiest of the bunch when it comes to footwork. Defending against Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi in training clearly provides the inspiration.
“It’s very difficult to defend against them. They’re technically very strong, and not only one against one. Playing against them every day in training is naturally going to help us progress as players.”
Already a vital cog in the Parisian machine, Mendes only joined the Ligue 1 champions on a permanent transfer at the end of last season following his successful loan spell. Mendes is a potential world-beater, and is among the final 10 nominees for the Kopa Trophy – for the world’s best young player - for a second consecutive year.
