Nuno Mendes: "We'll be ready for this final"

Interviews

Nuno Mendes and Vitinha spoke about their anticipation heading into the Coupe de France final between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais in Lille on Saturday evening.

This Saturday, Paris Saint-Germain will be aiming to make the Stade Pierre Mauroy nets shake in a bid to claim their third title of the season, after lifting the Trophée des Champions and Hexagoal, the Ligue 1 trophy.
But to do so, Luis Enrique's side will have to contend with an in-form Olympique Lyonnais side.

Back on the pitch for the last two rounds of the Coupe de France, in the quarter-finals against Nice and the semi-finals against Rennes, Nuno Mendes has his sights firmly set on this final and the oldest of competitions, which he has yet to conquer with Les Rouge et Bleu.

"It's a title I haven't managed to win. But I think we're going to do everything we can on Saturday to win this cup. And I think that's the most important thing. You know, the Coupe de France is one of the most beautiful trophies in France, a bit like the one I won in Portugal. And I really want to win it," said the left-back.

"I also want to win this cup because it's a special trophy. It's the Coupe de France! And it'll be my first final in this competition, so that's very close to my heart," added his team-mate in the Portugal squad, the indefatigable Vitinha.

"I think the team is in good shape. We're training well and there are still two training sessions to go before the match, so I think we'll be ready for this final," continued Nuno Mendes, well aware that victory will require a high-level match against a team that has been aiming to surprise since the start of 2024. "It's a final. A final is played and won. We know that Lyon will give everything. But we also intend to do everything we can to win the match. We've already played them twice this season and won. But it's not the same thing. That was the championship and this is a final. And they've worked really hard to get here. And I think it's going to be a good game to end the season with."

One thing is certain: after several months away from the pitch, the No.25 feels ready for this top-of-the-table encounter: "I feel good and I'm doing everything I can to be at my best. All I'm looking forward to now is the final."