Real Madrid News
Real Madrid continue to admire PSG defender after ruling out his signing in 2020
Over the past year or so, PSG left-back Nuno Mendes has established himself as one of the best in his position, delivering consistent displays under Luis Enrique and playing a key part in the team’s success.
A treble-winner with the Parisian giants, the 23-year-old left-back is also a UEFA Nations League champion with the Portuguese national team.
The defender is now targeting another trophy with PSG, having made it to the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup, where he will face Real Madrid.
Real Madrid wanted to sign Nuno Mendes in 2020
Now, according to MARCA, Real Madrid were very interested in signing Nuno Mendes back in 2020, but closed the doors on a move due to the Covid pandemic.
The year 2020 forced many clubs to rethink their plans. Real Madrid shut the door on incoming transfers while negotiating salary reductions with both players and executives.
These measures helped stabilise the club financially during the pandemic but came at the cost of stalling several ongoing operations and delaying or abandoning targets, including Mendes.
The youngster was still at Sporting CP at that time and Real Madrid were closely monitoring him, as were several other top clubs.
The left-back position had been identified as a priority at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Mendes was the standout candidate. Internal reports suggested he could be a decade-long solution – a player with the potential to be game-changing.
However, the possibility of signing Mendes collapsed during that summer. The decision was clear: no transfers during a period when clubs’ revenues had plummeted.
While Real Madrid waited, his agent, Jorge Mendes, directed the player’s path toward PSG. Although he remained at Sporting at the time, it was evident that his future was aligned with the Parisian club.
Real Madrid’s relations with Jorge Mendes were not ideal either at that time and as PSG made a strong push, and the Merengues were left to look elsewhere.
Real Madrid still like Mendes
As per the report, there is clear admiration for Mendes’ game within Real Madrid. In Valdebebas, they recognise his impact at PSG and with the Portuguese national team. He is highly rated within the club.
Luis Enrique has since given the 23-year-old the structure and space he needed to grow into a top-level player at PSG.
However, despite there having been some links, Real Madrid have made no move for the Portuguese defender, who recently extended his contract with PSG until 2029.
Instead, the Merengues full focus is on signing Alvaro Carreras from SL Benfica to reinforce the left-back position.
Elche manager Martin Anselmi knows his side cannot afford to spend 90 minutes simply absorbing pressure when Real Madrid arrive for Tuesday’s La Liga clash.
After showing greater resilience against Athletic Club, the Argentine wants Elche to take that confidence into one of their toughest fixtures of the season.
A 1-1 draw at San Mames provided some encouragement after a difficult opening to the campaign.
Elche had led for much of the second half before Athletic eventually found a way back, but Anselmi believes the performance offered a blueprint for what his team must do next.
“The fact that we put up a fight at San Mames makes us feel united and shows us that this is the path to follow,” said the Elche manager, as per MARCA.
Anselmi wants Elche to defend with the ball
Against Real Madrid, Anselmi does not intend to abandon the principles that helped Elche compete in Bilbao.
His preferred defensive strategy starts with keeping the ball away from the opposition.
“For us, the best way to defend is to keep possession. I think we need to show the same defensive resilience as we did at San Mames and defend with the ball.”
That approach will face a severe examination against a Real Madrid side possessing the quality to punish even brief lapses.
Elche have already conceded 13 goals this season and currently sit 19th, making defensive concentration a major concern.
On that note, Anselmi is fully aware of the individual threat Madrid possess.
“They make complicated moves look easy and push you to the limit. We mustn’t give anything away and need to stay focused throughout the match.”
The fixture arrives at an awkward time for Anselmi, who has had limited preparation time before facing Madrid, and Yago de Santiago will be the only confirmed absentee.
“The most important match is the next one. From there, we’ll see who’s in the best form and spread the workload,” said the Elche boss.
Real Madrid test comes at a crucial moment
Elche’s start to the 2026/27 season has been anything but positive.
They drew with Deportivo La Coruña before losing three consecutive games against Barcelona, Racing Santander and 10-man Real Sociedad, during which they conceded 11 goals.
The draw against Athletic halted that run, but it did not erase the defensive problems. Elche currently have the second-worst defensive record in La Liga, leaving Anselmi with little margin for error against Real Madrid.
