Paris Saint-Germain full-back Nuno Mendes has had quite a promising debut season in Ligue 1 that has not gone unnoticed.
Mendes was nominated for this season’s UNFP Young Player of the Year honor earlier this week.
The #Ligue1UberEats Rising Star of the Year Nominees 🏆⤵️
🇫🇷 @a_kalimuendo
🇫🇷 Castello Lukeba
🇵🇹 Nuno Mendes
🇫🇷 William Saliba
🇫🇷 Khéphren Thuram#TropheesUNFP | @UNFP pic.twitter.com/ep2H7DyWAn— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 4, 2022
In speaking to PSG TV, Mendes touched on just what it means to be shortlisted for this award, which Kylian Mbappe is the last PSG player to have won the honor.
“I’m happy and honored that other players in the league have voted for me,” Mendes said. “I would like to thank them. I’ve done my best all season long. Overall, I’m satisfied, and I’ll keep giving the best of myself to improve even more. I’m making my way and above all keeping my feet on the ground.”
Mendes has emerged as PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino’s go-to starter at the left-back position in the ongoing campaign. He featured in all eight of PSG’s UEFA Champions League fixtures this season, as he went on to earn starts in the round of 16 tie against Real Madrid. More so, he has notched a 1.9 tackles per match average over 25 total appearances in Ligue 1 play this season.
In the big picture, PSG may have just found its long-term answer at the left-back position with Mendes.
