Nuno Mendes, a 22-year-old full-back who plays for both Paris Saint-Germain and the Portuguese national team, was the guest of Alexandre Ruiz. Free Ligue 1 He discussed his initial years in the profession, his transition to Sporting Lisbon, and subsequently his shift to PSG.
Nuno Mendes "He used to teach at my school, and he noticed me playing there."
Were you number 10, and is it correct that you requested the number 10 yourself? The tale suggests this is how it happened.
It’s true, it’s true.
Tell us about it.
These are fond recollections; the club truly understood me. In this picture here, you can see a teacher from my old school who watched me play. He brought me to the club, and before long, I had signed up.
At Despertar?
Yes, that’s right.
Your coach mentioned that you seemed reserved, and you requested from him only one thing – the number 10. Can you explain why?
I'm not sure why, but I noticed that all the top players were wearing jersey number 10. So, I told them, "I want number 10." At that point, I wasn't positioned as a left-back, so I simply requested to wear the number 10.
Which player did you find impressive back then?
Many players wore the number 10 jersey back then; everyone from Messi onwards was included.
What emotions come up for you when you see your initial license here?
It's a lovely recollection. It marked my first appearance.
Nuno Mendes said, "I was out with my mates when that teacher you introduced me to brought me to the club."
Have you always dreamed of becoming a footballer?
Certainly, all the time. However, I wasn't searching for a club; instead, I spent time hanging out on the streets with my buddies. It was actually that same teacher who introduced us to this place—he’s my gym instructor—and he would bring me back to the club regularly. After classes ended each day, I'd go there almost daily. The teacher would pick me up in his vehicle and drive me over for practice before dropping me home afterward.
Was his name Bruno?
His name was Bruno.
Does he take you for a two-hour drive every day?
Yes, however, it wasn't an everyday occurrence; it happened only three days each week.
Were you wearing that blue shirt?
Sure, but I didn’t have any shoes, see? Somebody loaned them to me.
Whose shoes are they?
They belong to me, they were given to me, but actually, it was another teammate’s mom—the captain’s mom—who handed them over. I simply needed some shoes to play with in the street; I didn’t own any.
So Captain's mother handed over his shoes to you as a present?
Yes, you're correct, his name is Fabio.
Is he still considered a friend?
No.
Nuno Mendes says, "I make an effort to spare some time for that."
How do you relate to the club?
I make an effort to visit occasionally. To check out their current state, (he glances at the picture), however, previously, there wasn't any synthetic material; instead, there was something I can't quite describe—it was like dirt.
Do you participate in a season there?
One month, one month.
A month later and Sporting Lisbon comes searching for you?
Yes.
Nuno Mendes "When I opened the door, what awaited me was a knife."
What led Sporting to show interest in you?
It happened during a tournament. The person who took me to Sporting noticed me. They mentioned wanting to speak with me, though I wasn't aware of their identity at the time. They stated, "I represent Sporting; I came specifically to watch you play because I admire your style." After the game concluded, I did not encounter this individual once more.
It’s a story I have recounted numerous times. That particular day, as usual, I found myself at school where I stepped out for some reason. To my surprise, he trailed me all the way back home and rang the doorbell. At first, his identity remained unknown to me. As soon as I opened the door, however, what greeted me was a knife. Subsequently, he reassured me saying, "There's nothing to fear; I'm just here representing the Sports Recruitment Team."
Who is this man?
His name is Aderita. At Sporting, he helped players with limited means. He would provide them with vouchers to purchase meals at the shops.
Was he some sort of patron?
Yes, he was.
Nuno Mendes " Almost everything, as Sporting provided me with everything."
He oversaw several underprivileged young individuals?
Certainly, that’s accurate. Take for instance, a friend of mine named Benjamin. He provided this to us. We felt quite delighted about it.
Are you aware of everything happening today?
Yes, I understand everything. Even though he passed away today, he was aware that I admired him and he supported me greatly.
What significance does Sporting hold for you?
Nearly everything, since Sporting provided me with everything. They have gone above and beyond for me, both on and off the field. They offered tremendous support. There was this individual who, during my time at Sporting, would drive me home daily.
I would ride the bus for my training sessions, but afterward, he'd drive me back home because it got quite late. Training started at 6 p.m., and once we finished, it was about 9 p.m., which made taking the bus impractical.
I was too young back then, so he would always bring me along with him. Nowadays, I occasionally chat with him, and his name is Senhor Vicente. That’s how we addressed him. In those days, he would often transport me and some coworkers back home.
Is a lucky star shining upon you?
Absolutely, that's the top priority for me. These are memories I cherish daily. Whether I'm out on the field or celebrating significant victories, I recall everyone who supported me along the way. It brings me great joy knowing they share my happiness as well.
Nuno Mendes said, "I had no hesitation. I put my signature down. With only two minutes remaining before the transfer window closed."
How was your signing with PSG?
I made it to the shortlist. However, at the final moment, after discussing with my agent, I expressed my desire to eventually play for Paris Saint-Germain.
Did you really?
Sure, and thus he informed me just moments before that PSG had shown interest in me. Without hesitation, I agreed to sign. With only two minutes remaining until the transfer window closed, we managed to pull through. Here I am now.
Do you remember the emotion you felt when signing that contract?
It was not good because I was focused on the selection process. I believe this was my first call-up with the Portuguese national team. However, after I left, I moved on to something different in another country. I think I did quite well there.
Nuno Mendes said, "It's a fantastic club, something everyone is aware of."
What made you decide to join PSG, and how significant was this opportunity to you?
This means a great deal. Many players whom I've observed have passed through this place. Numerous outstanding athletes, and I aspired to become a part of that legacy, a member of that esteemed organization. We all recognize what an excellent club it is. Since joining now, my aim is to continue moving forward.
Is it not a simple task at PSG, yet do you sense yourself as part of the Paris Saint-Germain narrative?
Sure, you might put it this way, step by step. It’s not complete just yet, but gradually, I am attempting to etch my presence into this club, and I believe I'm heading in the right direction. My teammates are exceptional players; they assist me daily. I feel I must continue moving forward to solidify my impact here.
If you encountered your younger self 10 years from now, young boy, what would you tell him?
Perhaps I would let him know that he has picked the correct route. That he finds himself in an advantageous position and should continue forward as this is merely the start. There remains quite a journey ahead of him in the world of soccer.
Would you consider purchasing a pair of shoes for him?
Sure, 1 2 3. No problem at all (haha).