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Nuno Alexandre Tavares Mendes (born 19 June 2002) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Portugal national team.
Coming through Sporting CP’s youth academy, he made his first-team debut in 2020, and in the following year, he won a double of the Primeira Liga and Taça da Liga, while being named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year. In August 2021, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain on a one-year loan deal, winning the Ligue 1 title and joining the club permanently for €38 million.
Mendes is a former Portugal youth international, representing his country at various levels. He made his full debut in 2021, and was chosen in the squads for Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.
Early Life
Born in Sintra, Lisbon District of Angolan descent, Mendes started playing football aged 9, and his idols growing up were Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, David Alaba and Marcelo, the two last players being the ones he tried to emulate. He would be spotted by his school teacher Bruno Botelho, who invited him to play for local club Despertar on the outskirts of Lisbon. He quickly stood out, subsequently catching the eye of Benfica, Porto and Sporting CP and joining the latter’s youth system at the age of 10.
During his scouting process, as he returned home from school, Mendes realised he was being followed by a man. For fear of being robbed, he ran home, located in a very poor neighbourhood; the “stalker” was actually a Sporting scout, who later convinced him to sign. He spent the next four years making a two-hour round trip in order to train every night with his teacher, before moving to Sporting’s academy at the age of 14.
Mendes initially played as an attacking midfielder before being converted to a left-back, a position he struggled with in the beginning.
Family Life
The Portuguese star grew up alongside his elder brother, whom he often credits for teaching him life values. From what it seems, a difference of 4 to 5 years separates the two siblings.
The left-back was born into a middle-class household. Put simply, Nuno Mendes family background denotes humble beginnings. Truth be told, modesty and humility are written all over their faces.
Backtracking to his family origin, it is clear that Nuno has relatives in both Angola and Portugal. However, there is currently no documentation existing about them. One thing is sure – the fact that they are his most incredible supporters.
As a child, Nuno Mendes parents flourished him with the needed encouragement, support, and access to soccer activities.
His Mum and Dad were the types who could not afford the most expensive toys – except a football.
Although born in Portugal, he is of Angolan descent. This means that Nuno Mendes parents, including his grandparents (from both mother and father’s side), are Angolans.
First thing first, Sintra is a town made up of 380,000 inhabitants and located in the Greater Lisbon region of Portugal. Back then, Nuno Mendes family lived in the remote part of the town – an impoverished neighbourhood.
Like most kids who grew up on the foothills of Portugal’s Sintra Mountains, Nuno attended school. Though he wasn’t the serious academic type because playing football outside school hours gave him great joy.
Recognizing their son’s desire to earn a living with football, Nuno Mendes parents decided to enrol him at FC Despertar – a local team in his neighbourhood. Recognizing his success years later, these men (his first coaches) have deemed it fit to celebrate one of their own.
On a blessed day, the youngster (aged 11) closed from school after a long and tiring day. Nuno was walking to his family home when he noticed he was being followed by a stranger.
Becoming so afraid, he tried to lose him by walking faster, making longer strides and detours. The whole attempt to dodge this stranger proved unsuccessful. Luckily, the youngster finally reached home.
Upon hurriedly entering the family residence, Nuno ran to the kitchen and found a cover to protect himself. As he stayed behind the living room door (waiting for a few seconds), the doorbell of the sitting room rang.
At that moment, Nuno made his mind up that his family home was just about to face what he called – an attempted robbery. But, unknown to him, that stranger (the suspect) was a football scout from Sporting.
The Road to Fame Story
The man accused of being a burglar was literally an angel sent to deliver good tidings. Observing he was a Sporting CP scout, shockwaves went through Nuno’s spine.
After his family welcomed him, the scout quickly went on to the motive for the visit. He made Nuno Mendes’ parents know that Green and whites desperately want their son.
Also revealed was the fact that the club had got scouts watching him play local football for quite a while – with FC Despertar.
At the time Nunu left his small amateur club to join Sporting, reports have it that he was also closely monitored by Benfica and Porto. This just shows how good he was as a kid.
Nuno Mendes joined the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Cedric Soares and Raphael Leao, who made their names with Sporting academy. His years with them spanned from 2012 to 2020.
Two years before Sporting CP academy graduation, the youngster’s family celebrated his call to the U16 national team. Between the space of three years (2018 to 2021), Nuno got promoted four times – from Portugal U16 to the senior team.
Between 2020 to 2021, he rose to become one of the hottest properties in Portuguese football.
The left-back became the best as far as his playing position is concerned. Nuno Mendes got armoured by Sporting as a result of becoming consistent in performance.
Becoming one of the “indispensable forces” of Rúben Amorim’s squad, Sporting CP quickly pushed for his contract extension and increased his buyout clause from €45 million to €70 million.
The youngster’s dream, like any sportinguistas, was to win trophies for his beloved club. In just one season (2020-2021), Nuno Mendes’ brilliance (alongside that of Pedro Goncalves and Gonzalo Plata) helped Sporting seal the prestigious Primeira Liga and Taça da Liga titles.
Personal Life
First thing first, he is very introverted by nature. Nuno Mendes feels more comfortable when he focuses on his inner thoughts and ideas rather than what is happening externally.
Put simply, he is the type who can adapt to the energies surrounding him. Asides from spending time with immediate family members, Nuno sometimes prefers to spend time alone and away from everything. Our boy does that so he can restore his inner strength.
Last but not least, Mendes is a natural-born leader, one who possesses the heart of a lion.
Family matters won’t be the first thing the Portuguese star will think about each time he wakes up in the morning or when lies down to bed at night.
Without question, he like many professional footballers has forged his path toward Financial freedom. Yes, Nuno Mendes is rich enough to afford himself an exotic lifestyle – one easily noticeable by expensive cars, big mansions etc.
At this moment, the Portuguese superstar remains a complete antidote to living an exotic lifestyle. He just lives his life on the pitch.
Parents
The loving embrace of his parents brings all the warmth needed to scale through life’s hurdles. In this section, we’ll tell you more about his family, starting with his Dad.
About Nuno Mendes Father
Sadly, the head of the family is no more. Nuno Mendes lost his Dad from a serious sickness just before he made it as a Sporting CP first-team player. The death of Nuno’s father struck him hard – and it made him grow faster.
“ YES, I HAD TO GROW UP FASTER AFTER I LOST MY DAD.
IN THAT, SPORTING PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE. WHILE LIVING AT THE ACADEMY, I TOOK ON OTHER KINDS OF RESPONSIBILITIES.
SPORTING HELPED ME WITH EVERYTHING – BOTH AS A PLAYER OR AS A PERSON “
Nuno Mendes Mother
Despite her son becoming successful, she still maintained her old-time Blue-collar job. Research has it that Nuno Mendes’ mother worked as a cleaner in Estádio José Alvalade stadium. This is where we have the home of Sporting CP.
Siblings
According to our research, the Portuguese footballer has a look-alike older brother who appears to be the family’s first child.
From what it seems, Nuno Mendes Brother is not a professional footballer. There is a high chance that he will look after his brother’s career, especially in the absence of their Dad, who is late.
Girlfriend
Nuno Mendes is currently single and not in any relationship or dating for now.
Wife
Nuno Mendes is currently not yet married. Wedding? No real life wedding for Nuno Mendes as he is not yet married.
Children
Nuno Mendes has no biological child of his own.
Religion
Nuno Mendes is Christian by religion.
Net Worth
Nuno Mendes’ net worth as of 2022 is estimated at around $4 million – $10 million.
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