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Nuno Mendes had an explosive season. |
That seemingly joking question resounded seriously in the press conference room at Munich Arena, just minutes after the Portuguese team lifted the Nations League trophy for the second time in the early morning of September 6.
On an emotional football night, the PSG left-back left a strong impression - not only with his goals and assists, but also by completely dominating Spain's young talent Lamine Yamal.
Top performance
Mendes started his perfect performance with a spectacular equaliser, then went on to set up Cristiano Ronaldo to level the score at 2-2, helping Portugal hold on and eventually win the title. But those numbers don't tell the whole story.
Throughout the match, the player born in 2002 played persistently, confidently, unafraid of collisions and full of confidence every time he held the ball. More importantly, he completely overshadowed Lamine Yamal - considered the "gem" of Spanish football.
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Nuno Mendes shines in Portugal's win over Spain. |
With his performance in Munich, Nuno Mendes has suddenly been mentioned as a "dark horse" in the race for the Golden Ball - a rare thing for a full-back. Although it is too early to talk about this noble individual title, if we look back at the entire last season, we will see that this assessment is not unreasonable.
At Paris Saint-Germain, Mendes was one of the most prominent factors in the club's historic treble - with the highlight being the Champions League title. In key matches, he was not only solid on the left flank, but also often pushed forward to create breakthroughs.
The goal against Aston Villa - a dribble and finish full of speed and courage - once "caused a fever" on social networks and was praised by international media as a model for the modern defender.
Not stopping at club level, this year's Nations League performances have also shown that Mendes is a player for the big games. Seven assists and a goal in just eight games - impressive numbers even for an attacking midfielder, let alone a full-back. He is both a launching pad for the attack and a solid shield for the back line - the type of player any coach would dream of owning.
Best left back
At 22, Nuno Mendes carries both the expectations and the weight of a big star. Luis Enrique once spent 38 million euros to bring him to the Parc des Princes, but at this point, that figure is probably only a small fraction of the player's actual value on the transfer market.
It is worth mentioning that Mendes is not the type of player who is noisy or likes to be noticed. He quietly does his job well, without fanfare or tricks - but the results are always obvious. And sometimes, it is this silence that makes people seriously ask the question: are we forgetting the real values just because they do not make a splash?
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Nuno Mendes silences Lamine Yamal. |
In a football world that increasingly favours attacking superstars, defenders like Nuno Mendes are often underrated. But if the Ballon d'Or is about celebrating the best players - not just the best - then Nuno Mendes' name definitely deserves to be in the conversation.
No one dares to say for sure that he will reach the top of the podium of that individual title. But if he continues to maintain his current form, in the PSG shirt and the Portuguese national team, Mendes will not only be the best left-back in the world at the moment - but also a new symbol for the generation of young players who know how to quietly shine in their own way.
Source: https://znews.vn/nuno-mendes-gianh-qua-bong-vang-khong-phai-chuyen-vien-vong-post1559381.html
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