Portugal’s left-back Nuno Mendes is eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to play against France’s star forward and his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Kylian Mbappé, in the upcoming Euro 2024 quarterfinal. Mendes, 22, had the chance to share the dressing room with Mbappé during their time at PSG before the French striker made his move to Real Madrid as a free agent. Despite now being opponents on the field, Mendes still holds Mbappé in high regard, along with his Portugal teammate and football icon Cristiano Ronaldo.
In a recent press conference, Mendes expressed his admiration for both Ronaldo and Mbappé, acknowledging them as exceptional players who have the ability to change the course of a game at any given moment. Having had the privilege to play alongside both superstars, Mendes praised their talents and impact on the pitch. When posed with the difficult hypothetical choice of selecting one over the other, Mendes jokingly stated that he would opt to have both Ronaldo and Mbappé in his team if he were a coach.
Despite the challenge that France poses, Mendes is prepared to go up against Mbappé if the opportunity arises. Confident in his abilities and training, Mendes emphasized the importance of being ready for such moments in a high-stakes tournament like the Euros. He acknowledged France’s formidable lineup but also highlighted the quality of players within the Portuguese squad. Mendes emphasized the need for Portugal to nullify France’s strengths while playing their own style of football during the quarterfinal clash.
Portugal’s Focus on Defensive Strategies
Reflecting on France’s journey to the quarterfinals, Mendes noted that Les Bleus have predominantly relied on set-piece goals and own goals, rather than scoring from open play. He recognized the attacking prowess of Mbappé and fellow forward Ousmane Dembélé, emphasizing their goal-scoring instincts. Mendes stressed the importance of Portugal’s defensive efforts in containing France’s attacking threats and preventing them from finding the back of the net in the upcoming match.
Ronaldo’s Emotional Moment
As Portugal’s leading goal scorer and captain, Cristiano Ronaldo has endured a challenging Euro 2024 campaign, having yet to score from open play in the tournament. Mendes acknowledged Ronaldo’s emotional penalty miss in the round of 16 against Slovenia, which ultimately led to a dramatic penalty shootout victory for Portugal. Despite the difficult moment for Ronaldo, Mendes highlighted the unity and support within the team, exemplified by goalkeeper Diogo Costa’s crucial saves during the shootout.
Nuno Mendes’ anticipation to face former teammate Kylian Mbappé in the Euro 2024 quarterfinal highlights the competitive spirit and camaraderie within international football competitions. As Portugal prepares to take on France in a crucial knockout stage encounter, Mendes’ insights and perspective underscore the strategic approach and mental fortitude required to succeed at the highest level of the sport.