Portugal’s Nuno Mendes is regarded by many as the best left-back in the world at present, owing to his tremendous development since moving to Paris Saint-Germain from Sporting in 2021.
Across his five years in the French capital, Mendes has won back-to-back Champions League crowns as well five Ligue 1 titles to add to his Portuguese Primeira Liga with Sporting. At international level, the 24-year-old clinched the Nations League with Portugal last year.
Having been named in the Champions League Team of the Year for both of PSG’s victorious campaigns, it is no surprise Mendes has been noticed by one of the greatest players in history to have played in his position.
Brazil legend Roberto Carlos, best known for winning the World Cup in 2002 and winning three Champions Leagues during an 11-year spell with Real Madrid, was asked about Mendes last month, prompting a candid response.
"He's very good,” Roberto Carlos said. “He might be better than me, that much is clearer than water. He's a young kid, he's winning important titles, he maintains consistency from game to game.
“He plays with joy, he has impressive physical power. I'm happy because people compare him to me, modern football needs young players with his quality."
Roberto Carlos was also asked about the growing impact of Portuguese managers in Brazilian football. Jorge Jesus’ remarkable season with Flamengo in 2019 laid the foundation for a flurry of Luso appointments, which Roberto Carlos supports, albeit issuing credit to Abel Ferreira of Palmeiras, who has been in charge for almost six years.
"The other day, Vanderlei Luxemburgo spoke about this. Abel [Ferreira] opened the doors for many Portuguese coaches, who arrived in Brazil and are doing an excellent job,” Roberto Carlos said.
“I'm not against it, I'm happy to see that Brazilians are looking to learn from the Portuguese, and the Portuguese want to work in Brazil. They arrive there and project a super positive image.
“Modern football is like that, we look for foreign players and coaches, and the Portuguese have a lot of quality. I'm happy to see that Portuguese coaches are bringing modernity to Brazilian football."
