PSG’s Nuno Mendes Admits Admiration for Barcelona: “Dream Club Since Childhood”
PSG’s Nuno Mendes Admits Admiration for Barcelona: “Dream Club Since Childhood”
Paris Saint-Germain’s dynamic left-back Nuno Mendes has recently opened up about his long-standing admiration for FC Barcelona, describing the Catalan giants as his “dream club since childhood.” The admission has sparked conversations about the young defender’s footballing inspirations and the trajectory of his rapidly rising career.
Mendes, born and raised in Sintra, Portugal, began playing organized football at the age of nine. Even in his earliest years, he was drawn to the elegance and attacking fluidity of Barcelona’s style of play—a brand of football that captivated millions worldwide during the club’s golden era. Watching the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta, and especially Jordi Alba, Mendes found both inspiration and aspiration.
In several past interviews, Mendes has spoken with admiration about Lionel Messi, calling him one of the players who most influenced his development. He also highlighted the impact of watching full-backs like Jordi Alba, whose combination of pace, vision, and technical intelligence made a lasting impression. These players, synonymous with Barcelona’s identity, shaped Mendes’ understanding of what it means to play with both flair and discipline.
Although Mendes is now fully committed to his career at PSG—where he has become one of Europe’s most exciting young defenders—his recent remarks make it clear that the ethos of Barcelona remains close to his heart. The club’s philosophy, which emphasizes possession-based football, positional intelligence, and tactical flexibility, aligns closely with the style of play Mendes has worked hard to master.
His football journey, from the youth ranks of Sporting CP to the heights of Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League with PSG, has been defined by a desire to emulate the very best. For Mendes, that meant studying the game through the lens of Barcelona’s legacy. He has often mentioned how playing against or alongside players who were once his idols has been a surreal experience—one that motivates him to push even further in his development.
While he has made no indication of an imminent move, his admiration for Barcelona suggests that the door could one day open for a transfer to Camp Nou. For now, Mendes remains focused on contributing to PSG’s ambitions both domestically and in Europe. But for a player who grew up dreaming of Barça, the future may hold more than just admiration—it may offer the chance to wear the very shirt that first inspired him to chase the game.
