Portugal left-back Nuno Mendes is looking forward to the opportunity to face his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Kylian Mbappé, in the quarterfinal of Euro 2024. Having played alongside Mbappé for two seasons at PSG before the French forward’s move to Real Madrid, Mendes expressed admiration for both Mbappé and his current Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Mendes highlighted the exceptional abilities of both players, acknowledging their potential to change the course of a game at any moment.
Despite the formidable challenge of going up against Mbappé, Mendes emphasized his readiness to confront the star forward if tasked with the responsibility. While Mendes doubted that Mbappé would be positioned on his side of the field, he affirmed his commitment to training diligently and being prepared for any scenario that may arise during the match against France. Emphasizing the need to neutralize France’s key strengths while also playing to Portugal’s own strengths, Mendes exhibited a determined mindset ahead of the crucial quarterfinal clash.
With France yet to score from open play in the tournament, relying instead on penalties and own goals, Mendes acknowledged the attacking prowess of players like Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. He pointed out the importance of Portugal’s defensive efforts in thwarting France’s goal-scoring attempts and maintaining a solid defensive strategy throughout the match. Additionally, Mendes addressed Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance in Euro 2024, particularly highlighting the emotional moment when Ronaldo’s penalty was saved by Slovenia’s goalkeeper. Mendes underscored the team’s unity and support for Ronaldo during challenging moments, emphasizing the collective strength and resilience of the Portuguese squad.
Reflecting on the team dynamics and camaraderie within the Portuguese national team, Mendes emphasized the importance of solidarity and mutual support among the players. He highlighted goalkeeper Diogo Costa’s exceptional saves during the penalty shootout against Slovenia as a testament to the team’s resilience and determination to overcome obstacles together. Mendes’ remarks underscored the team’s shared commitment to success and the significance of standing by each other through both triumphs and setbacks on the field.
Nuno Mendes’ perspective on the upcoming showdown with Kylian Mbappé and France sheds light on the player’s mental preparedness, tactical awareness, and team-oriented approach to the game. As Portugal faces a formidable opponent in the quarterfinal of Euro 2024, Mendes’ insights offer a glimpse into the team’s mindset and determination to overcome challenges and achieve victory on the international stage.