Nuno Mendes Locks Down Yamal as PSG Edge Barça in a European Thriller
2 octobre 2025
PSG's Mendes dominates Yamal in a pivotal clash
Nuno Mendes, Portugal's left-back and Paris Saint-Germain, delivered another elite display, reinforcing his status among the world’s best players of late.
He finished in the top ten of the Ballon d'Or list for 2025, a prize claimed by teammate Ousmane Dembélé.
The 23-year-old international was among nine PSG players in this year’s Ballon d'Or race, including Achraf Hakimi, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Joao Neves, Khvicha Kvartatskhelia, Deyezire Doi, Dembélé, and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who recently moved to Manchester City after winning the Yashin.
PSG’s success this year included five domestic and continental titles, notably the UEFA Super Cup and the Champions League, a first in the club’s history.
Mendes and his teammates played a leading role in PSG’s 2-1 victory over Barcelona on Wednesday night in the second round of the Champions League, marking a third visit to Barca’s fortress in recent years.
He earned UEFA’s Man of the Match for assisting the equalizer by his young teammate Sini Mayolo, while limiting the threat of Lamine Yamal.
The French network Canal+ highlighted Mendes’ dominance over Yamal for the second time this year, also naming him Man of the Match in the Nations League final last June, contributing to Portugal’s continental crown.
Across the arc of the game, the report also noted Mendes’ superiority over Salah when PSG faced Liverpool, underscoring his ability to neutralize top attackers in big fixtures.
After the final whistle, Mendes said: “It was a good, close match, but we believed in ourselves despite injuries. The young players who stepped in helped us fulfill the tasks on the pitch, and we proved we’re a high-level team.”
He added on Canal+: “Yes, it’s a win befitting a European champion. This season will be tougher, as every team wants to beat us; we must stay focused and play to win every game.”
“I moved forward, found space, and assisted the first goal; I try to use my speed, and I’m happy with the result,” Mendes reflected. Spain’s Luis Enrique, PSG’s coach, praised Mendes and Hakimi: “They’re among the best full-backs in the world, and their pace supports our pressing and defensive organization.”
What are Mendes’ numbers with PSG?
From Sporting Lisbon’s youth to PSG in 2021 on loan and a permanent move a year later for €40m, Mendes has become a mainstay. Over four seasons he’s played 144 matches for PSG across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing 19 assists, with 21 bookings and no red cards.
Internationally, he has 39 caps for Portugal, with 1 goal and 7 assists, plus four bookings and no red cards.
Remontada
PSG sealed a precious 2-1 victory at Barcelona, in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16, at the Estadi. The game was packed with intensity from the first whistle, culminating in a dramatic late strike that decided the tie.
Barça opened the scoring through Ferran Torres in the 19th minute, Sini Mayolo equalized for PSG in the 38th, and Gonzalo Ramos struck the late winner in the 90th minute to seal the win.
In summary, Mendes’ influence on both ends of the pitch was a defining feature of the night, underscoring why he’s trusted as a linchpin in PSG’s project. He continues to push Yamal and the Barça attack into a more constrained approach, allowing PSG to control key phases of big European matches.
Punchline 1: Mendes doesn’t just shadow Yamal—he files for a restraining order on his dribbles. Punchline 2: If defending were art, Mendes would be a sniper painting the Barca defense with precision, and the gallery would be full of trophies.
