Ryan Mendes


Ryan Isaac Mendes da Graça is a Cape Verdean professional football winger who plays for Al-Nasr.

Club career

Born in Mindelo, São Vicente, Mendes began his career with hometown club Batuque FC and in 2008 was sold to Le Havre AC, with whom he played his first game in Ligue 1 on 13 May 2009 against AS Saint-Étienne. He was monitored by Leicester City scout Steve Walsh, who instead signed teammate Riyad Mahrez to the club.
Mendes joined Lille in 2012. He missed the second half of his first season after having surgery on a right ankle tendon and remained on the sidelines until December 2013. He told the league's website that he was not going to retire despite the injuries.
On 4 September 2015, he joined English side Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan. On 24 September 2015, he scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw with Huddersfield Town.
In April 2019 he spoke about his title challenge with UAE club Sharjah FC.

International career

Mendes was also member of the Cape Verde U-21 national team and played formerly with the U-16 on an International Tournament for Under-16 players in Gonfreville-L'Orcher.
He made his debut for the senior team in 2010.

Career statistics

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.8 October 2011Estádio da Várzea, Praia2–02–12012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
2.29 February 2012Stade Municipal de Mahamasina, Antananarivo1–04–02013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
3.16 June 2012Estádio da Várzea, Praia1–03–12013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
4.16 June 2012Estádio da Várzea, Praia3–03–12013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
5.10 September 2014Estádio da Várzea, Praia2–12–12015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
6.6 September 2015Petro Sport Stadium, New Cairo2–12–12017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
7.1 June 2018July 5, 1962 Stadium, Algiers2–23–2Friendly
8.18 November 2019Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde, Praia2–12–22021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification