Nuno Mendes: 'The dream of any player' | OneFootball

Portugal left-back Nuno Mendes' star is most definitely on the rise at Paris-Saint Germain, where the 19-year-old looks set to build a glittering career among the capital club's galaxy of stars. Interview.

PSG's sixth and final signing of the summer is young, determined and full of potential. A product of the Sporting academy in Lisbon, Nuno Mendes turned professional when he was 17 and, just a year later, he was a league champion and in the Portugal squad for Euro 2020. He then topped off a stellar year by signing for Paris Saint-Germain in the final hours of the summer transfer window. "Everything happened very quickly, but I'll settle in fast and I'm really happy to be to play for Paris Saint-Germain," the young gun told PSG TV. "It's very hard to leave your family, but they will soon be here with me to help me with everything I need. It's very important for me to have my family here with me." Eyes on the prize

Physically and technically mature for a teenager, Nuno Mendes is an attacking left-back, and should suit PSG's style perfectly. "I'm an attacking player. But first of all I have to defend and then attack. I think that's the most important thing," he smiled. "But yes, I'm an attacking player, a full-back who is always looking to get forward, but defending is also important."

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN - CLERMONT FOOT 63 (4-0) / Highlights (PSG - CF63) 2021/2022

On loan with an option to buy, the man from Sintra, just outside Lisbon, sees his long-term future in the French capital. "A professional footballer always needs to be ready. I have always worked as hard as I could to play for a side at the very highest level," Mendes explained. "The secret is hard work. Hard work every single day. That's the ingredient that saw me get here to Paris and progress so much this year." Stars aligned

Now that he is among some of football's biggest stars at Paris Saint-Germain, the level-headed Mendes knows that the hard work has only just begun. "My aim is to be my best to try and win the confidence of everyone and to stay here permanently," said the ambitious youngster. "I still have a lot to learn. I'm young, just 19. I have played one year as a professional and I still have a lot of time to learn. I think this team, this club will help me enormously."

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN - OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS (2-1) / Highlights (PSG - OL) 2021/2022

Being a part of Mauricio Pochettino's star-studded squad could easily be a daunting thing, but the promising young full-back looks to be settling in well - even if he is still pinching himself! "I spoke with Danilo when I was on national team duty and I know he will help me settle in here. Slowly but surely," said the wide-eyed but dead-serious youngster. "Obviously I'm very proud to have signed amongst all these amazing players. Messi, Neymar, Mbappé, Sergio Ramos. I think it's the dream of any player to play with these guys, and it's crazy to experience that for the first time. I can't wait to play with all the new signings and everyone that was here already. It's just a dream come true." After impressing as a starter in PSG's dramatic 2-1 win over Lyon in Round 6, Mendes should have another chance to showcase his blistering speed and sharp skills when the capital club take on Metz at the Stade Saint-Symphorien in their Round 7 clash on Wednesday night.

>> PLAYER PROFILE: Nuno Mendes

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