Nuno Mendes, a 22-year-old full-back who plays for both Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal, 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."
You held the position of number 10, and the tale tells us that you requested the jersey with the number 10 yourself. Is this accurate?
It’s true, it’s true.
Tell us about it.
These are fond recollections, as this club really knows me well. In this picture here, you can see a teacher from my old school; he watched me play there. He brought me to the club, and I ended up signing with them.
At Despertar?
Yes, that’s right.
Your coach mentioned you were shy, and you requested from him only one thing – the number 10. Why was that?
I'm not sure why, but I noticed that all the top players had jersey number 10. So, I told them, "I want number 10." At that point, I wasn't playing as a left-back anymore, so I simply requested to wear the number 10.
Whom among the players did you find impressive back then?
There were many players, including Messi, all those who had the number 10 jersey back then.
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 on the streets with my mates when that teacher you introduced me to brought me to the club."
Have you always dreamed of becoming a footballer?
Absolutely, all the time. However, I wasn't actively seeking out a club. My friends and I were hanging around the streets when it was that same teacher whom you pointed out who led me to join the club. He happened to be my gym instructor, and he would transport me to practice sessions using his vehicle before dropping me home afterward. This routine continued daily following school hours.
Was his name Bruno?
His name was Bruno.
Does he take you for a two-hour drive every day?
Certainly, but not daily; it was only on 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?
The shoes belong to me; they were given to me by my teammate’s mom, specifically the captain’s mother. All I wanted were some shoes to play with in the streets since I didn’t have any at all.
So your team leader’s mother handed over his shoes to you as a present?
Indeed, you're correct; his name is Fabio.
Is he still considered a friend?
No.
Nuno Mendes said, "I make an effort to spare some time for that."
How do you stand in relation to the club?
I make an effort to spare some time and visit the place. To check out their current situation ((looks at the picture)), however, previously, there wasn't any synthetic material; instead, there was something I can't quite describe—it was like dirt.
Are you playing a season there?
One month, one month.
In just one month, Sporting Lisbon comes searching for you?
Yes.
Nuno Mendes "When I opened the door, what awaited me was a knife."
What led Sporting to seek you out?
It happened during a tournament. The person who took me to Sporting noticed me. He mentioned wanting to speak with me, yet at that point, I wasn't aware of his identity. He stated, "I represent Sporting; I came specifically to watch you play, and I really liked your style." After the game, we did not cross paths again.
It was a story I've recounted numerous times. That particular day, while I was at school, I stepped out for some reason. He trailed me back to my house and rang the bell. Honestly, I had no clue who he was. When I answered the door, all I saw was a knife. Then, he reassured me saying, "Don't be afraid; I'm just here as a Sports Recruiter."
Who is this man?
His name is Aderita. At Sporting, he would assist players who had very little. He'd provide them with cards to purchase food at the shops.
Was he some sort of patron?
Yes, he was.
Nuno Mendes "Pretty much everything, as Sporting provided me with all I needed."
He oversaw several underprivileged young individuals.
Certainly, that’s accurate. Take, for instance, the case of my associate named Benjamin. He provided us with this. We felt quite delighted about it.
Are you aware of everything that happened today?
Yes, I understand everything. Even though he passed away today, he was aware that I admired him and he supported me greatly.
How do you feel about sporting events?
Nearly everything, since Sporting bestowed upon me all these things. They have been instrumental in my life both on and off the field. They provided immense support. There was an individual who, during my time at Sporting, would take me home daily.
I would ride the bus for my training sessions, and afterward, he'd drive me back home because it had become quite late. Our practice started at 6 p.m., and once we finished, typically about 9 p.m., it was too late to catch the bus again.
I was too young back then, which is why 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. In the past, he would often take both me and some of my coworkers home.
Is a lucky star hovering above you?
Absolutely, that's the top priority for me. Each day, these memories stay with me. 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 this happiness with me as well.
Nuno Mendes said, "I had no hesitation. I put my signature down. There were only 2 minutes remaining before the transfer window closed."
How was your joining ceremony with PSG?
I participated in the selection process. At the final moment, after speaking with my agent, I informed him of my desire to someday 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 2 minutes remaining until the transfer window closed, we managed to pull through. Here I stand now.
Apakah kamu masih ingat dengan perasaan yang kamu alami ketika menandatangani kontrak itu?
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, went to a different country. I think I did quite well afterwards.
Nuno Mendes said, "It's a fantastic club, everyone knows that."
What made you decide to join PSG, and how significant was this move for you?
This means a great deal. Many players whom I've observed have emerged from this place. Numerous outstanding athletes have been part of its legacy, and I was eager to contribute to that tradition as well as become an integral member of the club. We're all aware of what an excellent institution it is. Since joining, my focus has shifted towards maintaining momentum moving forward.
Is it not a simple task at PSG, but do you sense yourself as part of the Paris Saint-Germain narrative?
Sure, you might put it that 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 correct direction. My teammates are exceptional players; they assist me daily. In my view, I must continue moving forward to leave an indelible impression on this club.
If you encountered your future self 10 years from now, young boy, what would you tell him?
Perhaps I'd let him know that he has picked the correct route. That he finds himself in an advantageous position and should continue forward as this merely marks the start of his journey. There remains quite a distance for him to cover within the realm of soccer.
Would you consider purchasing a pair of shoes for him?
Sure, 1 2 3. No problem at all (haha).