We’ve got a future all-time great on our hands

I’m not sure if this is entirely controversial, but when it’s all said and done and he hangs his boots up - I wouldn’t be surprised if Nuno Mendes retires as the best left-back we’ve seen or certainly one of the best we’ve seen.

With the Portugueseman, we’re seeing a profile and player that has no real weaknesses. Defensively, he’s a 10. He’s come up against all the best right-wingers the sport has to offer in these last 12 months and each one hasn’t been able to get the better of him. 

Then you have his attacking ability. The combination of raw athleticism, decision-making and technical ability make him such a threat going forward. The body-feints, the skill and the patience he shows in the final third is something you’d expect to see from your favourite winger.  This threat is only going to continue to get maximised by Enrique’s system which sees him playing as a centre-forward and winger in various different phases of the game. 

Everytime I watch him, he seems to be one of the most dangerous players on the pitch - and he’s a left-back. I can’t remember the last time I’ve watched him play badly. Club or country - he’s dropping an 8/10 minimum and he’s making it look easy. 

I don’t think I’m getting ahead of myself when I make this claim. Ashley Cole, Roberto Carlos, Marcelo - I was unable to really watch the first two due to my age, but the way they’re revered and spoken about by people in the game - I think Mendes will begin to get talked about in the same manner. 

Even prior to the 24/25 season, when PSG weren’t at their scintillating best, Mendes was consistently one of their most impressive players. This isn’t a new thing - he’s now just playing in a system that gets the best out him week in, week out. 

It’s easy to forget that the guy is only 23 years old. He’s miles and away the best left-back in the world and I think the conversation should now be whether he’s the best defender on the planet. I see no weaknesses to his game. 

I see a player that will define a position for a generation in a team that may and well become a future dynasty. The only question is about injuries, given he missed a large chunk of the 2022/23 season with a hamstring injury. His athleticism and powerful running does leave him slightly at risk of these muscular injuries and so I pray his fitness stays as it has been for the last 2 years. 

If he remains injury free, then I don’t see why he can’t be an all-time great - in fact, I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t. 

The best 1v1 full-back in the world is arguably also one of the best going forward, players like this don’t come about very often and so when they do - we might as well call it what it is. 

Nuno Mendes will retire as one of the best left-backs of all time.