Nuno Mendes, Paris Saint-Germain’s 22-year-old full-back, spoke to the club’s website ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Aston Villa at the Parc des Princes. He spoke about his coach, Luis Enrique, his relationship with Joao Neves, his status in world soccer and life in the squad.
Nuno Mendes “I always do the same thing before a match”
How are you before a match?
I think everyone has their own way of concentrating for matches. Whether it’s in the Champions League or the league. But it’s true that the big matches require a higher level of concentration.
I always do the same thing before a match: I stay focused in my corner, calm and quiet. Once I’m in the dressing room, it’s different. I start talking to my team-mates.
Nuno Mendes “I work every day to make this possible”
The two games against Liverpool
Yes, they were two good games, individually. Of course, it’s always nice to hear compliments like that. But they were just two games. To continue at a high level and receive more compliments like that, saying I’m the best, one of the best in my position, I don’t think a couple of games will be enough to define that. It will be decided over the course of the championship, over the course of the season.
That decision will be clearer at the end of the season. I’m working every day to make it possible. Of course, Champions League matches are good games to develop. Because they’re top teams, teams that can make the difference in the smallest details. I’m always looking to develop, both in matches and in training.
Nuno Mendes “I’d say he’s strict in a good way”
Luis Enrique
Luis is a great coach. A coach who helps us a lot on a daily basis. You could say a coach who understands the players, because until recently he was in that position too. I think he has a gift for explaining things to players. I’d say he’s strict in the good sense of the word.
That’s a good thing for us because, as players, we need someone to tell us what’s not right so that we realize it and try to put things right. I think the coach has a good role to play.
Since he arrived at PSG, he’s done his best to ensure that the players develop a lot. One thing, one tiny detail that sometimes makes the difference in matches.
Nuno Mendes “I think we’ve helped him integrate better into the group”
Joao Neves
We have a very good relationship. Both here at the training center and in normal life, outside the club. I think it’s good for us to have someone with whom we can share moments both on and off the pitch.
I think it strengthens not only our friendship, but also our team spirit. That’s very important to me. Joao was the last to arrive. And it seems to me that the presence of the three of us, me, Gonçalo and Vitinha, is helping him to integrate. I think we’ve helped him to integrate better into the group, to adapt more quickly. I think that’s very important for a player going to a foreign country. It’s good to have someone to speak the same language with. It helps us to experience things better.
Nuno Mendes “I’m not saying that PSG wants to create stars. But it does want to create great players”
A PSG without stars, but players destined to become stars ?
I’m not saying that PSG wants to create stars. But it does want to create great players, players who are ready to compete at the highest level. I think that’s the club’s objective. We, the players, are aware of that. I think the club is doing a good job and we’re obviously very happy.
We have a young team, a team with a lot of ambition. The players obviously want to help the club. I think we’re on the right track to achieve great things.
Nuno Mendes “It’s a very welcoming group”
The group
It’s a very welcoming group, which is very important for players arriving. You can see that with Désiré Doué and Kvara. They’ve only been here a short time, but it feels like they’ve been part of the team for years.
As I said before, it’s a very, very welcoming group, a fantastic group. It’s very important for the team to succeed, for the team to progress in the best possible way. We have a very important role to play in helping the players who arrive. At the end of the day, we’re a family and we have to welcome everyone.
