Nuno Mendes Player Review
Pros
Excellent defending
Nuno Mendes is very reliable defensively. In direct duels, he times his challenges well and rarely lets wingers get past him easily.
Clean and effective tackling
His standing and sliding tackles are very good. Tackles feel clean, well-timed, and consistent, helping him win the ball without giving away unnecessary fouls.
Strong marking and awareness
Marking is solid. He tracks wingers effectively, blocks passing lanes, and maintains good defensive positioning along the flank.
Elite pace
He is one of the fastest full-backs in the game. His pace allows him to handle speedy attackers and stay competitive in high-tempo matches.
Top-tier sprint speed and acceleration
His acceleration and sprint speed are excellent, making recovery runs very effective. Even if he pushes forward, he can track back quickly.
Good physical presence
Despite being a full-back, he feels physically strong. He doesn’t get bullied easily and can hold his ground in shoulder challenges.
Solid jumping and strength
His jumping and strength help in back-post aerial situations, allowing him to contest crosses better than many full-backs.
Smooth dribbling and ball control
His dribbling and ball control are good. He feels smooth while carrying the ball forward and stays composed during overlaps.
Reliable passing and crossing
Passing and crossing are very solid. He delivers accurate balls into the box and supports attacking build-up play effectively.
Excellent overlapping support
He is very effective as an overlapping full-back. He contributes in attack without completely losing defensive balance thanks to his recovery speed.
Positional versatility
He can play as a LM without any OVR drop, giving extra flexibility in formations and tactical setups.
High attacking involvement
His high attacking work rate allows him to push forward consistently and support attacking plays from wide areas.
Consistent in H2H
Because of his pace and defensive stability, he performs very consistently in head-to-head matches.
Cons
No special traits
He lacks special traits, which means he doesn’t get extra in-game boosts that some elite players have.
High attacking work rate risk
His high attacking work rate can sometimes leave defensive gaps, although his pace usually helps him recover quickly.
Limited skill moves
With only 3 skill moves, he lacks creativity in advanced attacking situations, which can be noticeable when trying to beat defenders higher up the pitch.
Conclusion
Nuno Mendes is one of the best modern attacking-defensive left-backs. With elite pace, strong defending, reliable crossing, and the ability to play LM, he offers incredible flexibility and consistency. Even without traits, he remains a complete and high-impact flank player.
Rating 9.8/10