Paris Saint-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes has been stealing the spotlight in recent months after delivering two world-class performances against Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. In back-to-back high-profile encounters—the UEFA Nations League Final 2025 and the Champions League showdown on October 2, 2025—Mendes proved why many now consider him one of the best left-backs in world football.
Nations League Final: Mendes the Hero for Portugal
On June 8, 2025, Portugal faced Spain in the UEFA Nations League final. It was a tightly contested match that ended 2-2 in normal time before Portugal triumphed in the penalty shootout.
Mendes wasn’t just a defensive wall; he was also a decisive attacking weapon. He scored the opening goal for Portugal and later converted his penalty in the shootout, playing a central role in securing the trophy. More importantly, he neutralized Yamal, preventing Spain’s wonderkid from creating dangerous opportunities. Mendes won every single one-on-one duel, showing both physical dominance and positional intelligence.
Champions League Clash: PSG vs Barcelona
Just a few months later, on October 1, 2025, Mendes faced Yamal once again, this time in a Champions League group stage clash between PSG and Barcelona. The 23-year-old left-back delivered another masterclass, helping PSG secure a 2-1 victory at the Parc des Princes.
Analysts and fans alike used the word “tamed” to describe how Mendes shut down Yamal throughout the match. Despite Barcelona’s attempts to push through their young prodigy, Mendes consistently cut off passing lanes, intercepted key balls, and even contributed offensively by providing an assist for one of PSG’s goals.
Statistically, Yamal lost possession 21 times, a testament to how relentlessly Mendes pressured him.
Man of the Match Performances
For his outstanding efforts, Nuno Mendes was awarded Man of the Match in both games.
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In the Nations League final, UEFA’s Technical Observer Group highlighted his all-around contribution—scoring, defending, and keeping Yamal out of the game.
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In the Champions League, Mendes once again earned the accolade, with teammate Achraf Hakimi publicly declaring him “the best left-back in the world right now.”
Establishing Himself Among the World’s Best
Mendes’ stock has risen rapidly. At just 23 years old, he has already proven his ability to contain some of the most dangerous attackers in world football—not just Lamine Yamal, but also elite wingers like Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka in previous campaigns.
His consistency, versatility, and ability to influence both defensive and attacking phases of play are what make him stand out. For PSG and Portugal, Mendes is more than just a left-back—he is a complete package: a modern defender with attacking flair and tactical maturity beyond his years.
Nuno Mendes’ performances against Lamine Yamal in two of the biggest stages of 2025 highlight his transformation from a promising youngster into a world-class defender. Whether it was lifting a trophy with Portugal in the Nations League or leading PSG to a crucial Champions League victory, Mendes has shown he can rise to the occasion when it matters most.
With his form continuing to soar, many believe Mendes is not only the best left-back in Europe, but also a player destined to dominate world football for years to come.
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