When will Nuno Mendes return to Paris Saint-Germain? This is the question asked by many observers, especially at a time when the reigning French champions are preparing to cross swords with Olympique de Marseille for a Classic intended to be explosive. Once again absent during his team’s victory against Borussia Dortmund (2-0), Tuesday evening at the Parc des Princes, for the first day of the 2023-2024 Champions League, the 21-year-old Portuguese is, in fact, treating for several weeks a rupture of the joint tendon of the right hamstring. On the sidelines since April 30 when he was injured during the defeat (1-3) against Lorient, the Parisian number 25 sees, for the moment, Lucas Hernandez carrying out, with certain success, the tasks in the left lane of the Rouge et Bleu.
Yes, but here we are, before plunging into a dense season punctuated by a hellish schedule, the comeback of the native of Lisbon could only relieve Luis Enrique and his teams. It therefore remains to be seen when the person concerned will really be able to return to the lawns… This Friday, The Team also provides new information about the Portuguese international (19 caps). Not summoned for the reception of the Marsupials, the one who suffered from a small infection thus resumed part of the collective training with the group. However, the daily specifies that Mendes is not yet able to participate in all of the exercises.
PSG does not want to take any risks!
If this step allows us to maintain a good hope of seeing him again, in the short term, on Ligue 1 fields, PSG nevertheless wants to be extremely cautious. And for good reason. Last season, the player trained at Sporting played several matches while feeling pain. A risk taken which notably resulted in 4 muscle injuries during the 2022-2023 financial year (216 days of absences and 2420 minutes played out of 6210 possible). Determined – more than impatient – at the idea of seeing Nuno Mendes back to his full potential, PSG therefore remains very cautious. With this in mind, the medical staff of the capital club do not want to rush anything, preferring to increase the number of sessions in the weight room and thus avoid the slightest relapse.
“PSG worked really well on this point with Nuno. He has gained physicality and we can’t wait to see what he can do on the pitch after this work in the gym.”, specified, in this regard, the player’s entourage. While waiting to increase workloads and consider a return to competition for the man who scored two goals and provided seven assists in 32 matches in all competitions last season, it is Lucas Hernandez who should, once moreover, start, Sunday evening against OM, on the occasion of the shock of the 6th day of Ligue 1. To see Nuno Mendes on the lawns again, Parisian supporters will therefore have to be (again) patient…
