Portugal left-back Nuno Mendes, at 22 years old, is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to go up against his former teammate, Kylian Mbappé, in the upcoming Euro 2024 quarterfinal match.
Mendes had the privilege of playing alongside Mbappé during their time at Paris Saint-Germain before the French forward made the switch to Real Madrid as a free agent. Despite now being on different teams, Mendes remains in awe of Mbappé’s talent, stating that he and Cristiano Ronaldo are „high-level, excellent players who can make a difference at any moment.“
Having shared the dressing room with both Mbappé and Ronaldo, Mendes expressed his admiration for their abilities. He described the experience as a pleasure and emphasized the impact that both players can have on the pitch. When asked to choose between the two superstars, Mendes humorously replied, „It’s complicated. If I were a coach, I would choose both.“
Despite acknowledging the challenge of going up against Mbappé, Mendes assured that he is prepared for the encounter. While he does not anticipate Mbappé playing on his flank, Mendes emphasized the importance of training daily for such moments and being ready to face top-level opponents. He highlighted the need for Portugal to nullify France’s strengths and focus on their own game plan.
Looking ahead to the match against France, Mendes pointed out that Les Bleus have struggled to score from open play in the tournament. With goals coming from penalties and own goals, Mendes sees this as an opportunity for Portugal. He emphasized the importance of defending against players like Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, who have a natural goal-scoring instinct.
As Portugal’s captain and record goal scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo has faced criticism for his lack of goals from open play in Euro 2024. Mendes acknowledged the tough moment Ronaldo experienced when his penalty was saved by Slovenia’s goalkeeper in the round of 16. However, he highlighted the team’s unity and support for Ronaldo, emphasizing the importance of standing together as a group.
Nuno Mendes is looking forward to the challenge of facing Kylian Mbappé and France in the Euro 2024 quarterfinal. With Cristiano Ronaldo leading the team, Mendes believes in Portugal’s ability to compete against the best and showcase their strengths on the field. As the tournament progresses, Mendes and his teammates are ready to give their all and strive for success in the knockout stages.
Napsat komentář