Not Yamal or Dembele: Portugal coach Roberto Martinez reveals his surprising Ballon d’Or pick

Portugal national team boss Roberto Martínez opted against choosing Ousmane Dembele or Lamine Yamal as his Ballon d’Or favorite.

With just over two months remaining until the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony on September 22, the leading contenders have been Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele. However, Portugal coach Roberto Martínez threw a curveball, naming a different standout as his choice for the prestigious award.

Speaking to El Larguero, the Spanish manager was asked whether he preferred Yamal or Dembele as the best player of the season—a title awarded annually by France Football. Martínez, however, chose to take another path and selected Nuno Mendes instead.

“To be honest, we played against Lamine Yamal and he was a real puzzle,” Martínez said about the Paris Saint-Germain defender. “How do you stop him? How do you close the space he operates in? Our solution had one name: Nuno Mendes”.

He went on to explain his choice: “He’s a left back who is totally underrated. When you watch him in a match and then see him win the award for best player of the final stage—not just the final itself—it makes sense. He has the speed to keep up with someone like Lamine, and he’s also very strong in the air”.

“He can play as a center back, he gets into the final third, and he’s capable of finishing and assisting. He’s the most complete fullback in modern soccer. Honestly, if I had to pick someone right now, Nuno Mendes would be my favorite. It’s a very personal opinion—like a father talking about his children,” the 51-year-old coach concluded.

Why Nuno Mendes deserves Ballon d’Or consideration

Although Ballon d’Or frontrunners are often attacking players, Mendes’ season with PSG and the Portuguese national team make him a legitimate candidate. He helped Portugal to a Nations League title and played a pivotal role in PSG’s historic treble: Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy.

Mendes featured in 46 matches across all competitions, contributing 5 goals and 6 assists—impressive stats for a fullback, showcasing his versatility and influence on both ends of the pitch.

From: bolavip.com