Portugal boss Roberto Martinez hails Nuno Mendes' Ballon d'Or 2025 credentials, calls Cristiano Ronaldo 'icon' after Nations League success
Updated 11/06/2025 at 16:02 GMT+1
Roberto Martinez gave his backing for Portugal and Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes to be considered for the Ballon d'Or. The left-back has completed a historic treble at club level after UEFA Champions League success, and was crucial as Portugal lifted the Nations League title with a penalty shoot-out win over Spain. The Portugal boss called him the "best left-back I've ever seen".
Ronaldo upstages Yamal as Portugal defeat Spain to win the UEFA Nations League
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Portugal boss Roberto Martinez believes that Nuno Mendes is the best left-back he has ever seen, as he backed the Paris Saint-Germain star for the Ballon d'Or.
The defender has just wrapped up an incredible season, winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the UEFA Champions League to achieve a historic treble at club level.
The 22-year-old was then on hand for his international side to help shut down Spain star Lamine Yamal in the Nations League final, scoring his side's opening goal as well as scoring in the penalty shootout.
"I used to think that the perfect player didn't exist, but Nuno is very close to that," Martinez said when asked about his contenders for the Ballon d'Or.
"For me, Nuno Mendes is the best left-back I've ever seen. He can play out wide or inside. He's very fast and has great passing ability.
"Mendes and Vitinha are way above the rest, both at club level and in terms of their profile."
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'He's an icon' - Martinez hails Ronaldo
The Nations League triumph was also another cap in the feather of Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, lifting his third title with the team.
He scored his record-extending 138th international goal in the final against Spain.
Martinez called the 40-year-old "an icon" as he added another piece of silverware to his trophy cabinet.
"At 40, he has unique experience in the world of club football," Martinez said about Ronaldo.
"Being a coach isn't about picking or not picking Cristiano Ronaldo, it's about using the best players to have the best team and win titles. It's important to make decisions based on facts, and Cristiano has scored 20 goals [for Portugal] in [the last] 25 games. There are no records like this.
"We've managed to make the dressing room a very competitive place, and when you have a player like Ronaldo, it's a football lesson every day.
"He is in the national team and has to be at the highest level."
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Cristiano Ronaldo
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It is Ronaldo's second Nations League title after captaining the squad to the inaugural crown in 2019. He also lifted the 2016 European Championship trophy.
"But I think you have to understand the moments in a footballer's career," Martinez continued. "He was a player who lived for dribbling, for that last move. Now he's a player who has made history. He's the best player in the history of Portugal and probably one of the most influential in the game.
"He's more than a player, he's an icon.
"Almost like the weather, something you talk about in the elevator. Every day, he takes opportunities to improve. That is something that is very contagious. The fact that he only wants to improve influences the younger generation."
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