Nuno Mendes
Nuno Alexandre Tavares Mendes is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a left-back for the Portugal national team. He is widely regarded as one of the best left-backs in the world. He came through Sporting CP’s youth academy, making his first-team debut in 2020 and winning a double of Primeira Liga and Taça da Liga the following season while being named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year. In August 2021, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain on loan, joining the club permanently for €38 million in June 2022. In 2024–25, he was a prominent player as they attained a continental treble, including their first-ever UEFA Champions League title. Mendes represented Portugal at various youth levels. He made his full debut in 2021, and was chosen in the squads for the 2022 World Cup and two European Championships (2020 and 2024). He won the UEFA Nations League in 2025, being named the best player of the finals.
Nuno Mendes
Match Worn Boots
Sporting Lisbon CP
Did you Know?
These boots were worn by Nuno Mendes during the season 2019/2020 with Sporting Lisbon CP. Mendes is known for his offensive capabilities, speed and technical qualities, playing 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. Despite his ability going forward, however, the defensive side of Mendes’s game was brought into question by pundits early into his career, with the latter citing the inconsistency on his decision-making in front of goal, positioning and awareness as areas of weakness in need of improvement. Over the following years, however, under Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain, he became more tactically disciplined, displaying better judgment on when to push forward and when to hold his line. His one-on-one defending matured, committing fewer rash challenges while displaying greater awareness of space and opponents’ movement. These developments were particularly evident in high-stakes matches, where his defensive performances against players such as Mohamed Salah and Yamal drew praise from pundits and coaches alike, marked his improvement into a more complete and balanced full-back.
