🚨 Nuno Mendes wins MOTM and Player of the Tournament honours in the 2025 Nations League Final
In 8 June 2025, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Portugal claimed their second UEFA Nations League title, edging Spain 5–3 on penalties after a 2–2 draw in extra time . The standout performer was undoubtedly Nuno Mendes, whose electric left‑back display earned him both the Man of the Match in the final and Player of the Tournament honours .
Nuno notched his first international goal at senior level in the final, scoring the equaliser in the 1–1 moment, firing a low drive inside the far post to pull Portugal level .
🎯 Assists
Across the Nations League campaign, he provided an impressive six assists—more than any other player .
One key assist came in the semi-final vs Germany, setting up Cristiano Ronaldo to send Portugal into the final .
⏱️ Playing Time & Work Rate
Mendes played all ten matches in the campaign, logging a tournament‑high 948 minutes, more than any other competitor .
He was dynamic off the ball too—covering a total of 82.8 km, with eight successful dribbles during the finals phase .
Offensively, Mendes surged down the left flank with lightning pace, creating overloads and scoring at a critical moment in Munich .
Defensively, he was assigned the task of marking Spain’s young star Lamine Yamal, keeping him suppressed throughout the March and June matches .
In the final, his performances included:
1. Neutralising Yamal.
2. Scoring a sublime equaliser.
3. Providing the assist that led to Portugal’s second goal.
4. Confidently converting his penalty in the shootout .
Defined by Destiny: MOTM & Best Player Accolades
UEFA’s technical observers awarded him Player of the Finals, citing his goal, semi-final assist, overall consistency, and tactical brilliance .
He was also named Player of the Tournament for 2025, becoming the fourth player to receive this honour after Rodri (2023), Busquets (2021), and Bernardo Silva (2019) .
Legacy in the Making
At just 22 years old, Mendes is firmly establishing himself among global elite left-backs. This tournament added to an already sensational 2024–25 season—culminating in PSG’s Champions League triumph eight days prior . His national honours reflect not only his talent, but also his maturity, leadership, and relentless work rate.
Final Word
Nuno Mendes’ journey from promising youngster to dominant force was cemented in Munich. A flawless blend of attack and defence, he scored, assisted, shut down world-class opponents, and converted under pressure. His goal and six assists were the statistical backbone of his tournament—and his influence stretched far beyond numbers, inspiring Portugal’s path to their second Nations League crown. Mendes is not just the player of this tournament—he’s shaping up to be a generational full-back.
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