Nuno Mendes injury: PSG left-back ruled out of Barcelona clash

Paris Saint-Germain will be without Portuguese left-back Nuno Mendes when they host Barcelona in the Champions League at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday 20 October 2026. In a medical update published on 18 October 2026, the French champions said the 24-year-old has injured his left thigh and will be sidelined for several weeks, as reported by Goal and Sporx. The club did not give a return date.

How did Nuno Mendes get injured?

Nuno Mendes picked up the injury on 17 October 2026 in PSG's 3-1 Ligue 1 win away at Strasbourg. According to Goal, the Portugal international went off in the 86th minute after feeling pain in his thigh. ScoreLab data shows he played 34 minutes in that game. Head coach Luis Enrique said after the match that he did not want to take any risks with the player.

Goal, citing Le Parisien, reported that the club were not overly worried at first. Medical tests on the morning of 18 October 2026, however, revealed a more serious problem, and PSG confirmed the injury officially later that day. The club's statement said Mendes had suffered the left thigh injury against Strasbourg and would miss the next few weeks.

Timeline

1. 14 October 2026 — Mendes played 90 minutes in PSG's 4-2 Champions League win at Manchester City (ScoreLab rating 7.8).
2. 17 October 2026 — He was forced off with thigh pain in Strasbourg 1-3 PSG.
3. 18 October 2026 — After medical tests, PSG confirmed a left thigh injury and an absence of several weeks.
4. 20 October 2026 — PSG host Barcelona at the Parc des Princes without Mendes.

Who will replace Nuno Mendes against Barcelona?

Mundo Deportivo names 33-year-old Frenchman Lucas Digne as the natural replacement at left-back. Digne, a former Barcelona player, has played 2 Ligue 1 games and 108 minutes this season according to ScoreLab data, including 53 minutes at Strasbourg. He has made 547 club appearances across 7 clubs and won 64 caps for France.

Digne's direct opponent is likely to be Lamine Yamal. Mundo Deportivo recalled that Digne was the defender who conceded the penalty won by Yamal in the 2026 World Cup semi-final between Spain and France. ScoreLab data shows Digne played 72 minutes in that game on 14 July 2026, which Spain won 2-0. According to the same paper, Mendes himself asked to come off in the second half of Spain's 1-0 round-of-16 win over Portugal, worn down by Yamal.

What comes next for PSG?

PSG host Barcelona on matchday three of the Champions League league phase on 20 October 2026 at 21:00 French time. An absence of several weeks means Mendes could also miss further league and European fixtures after the Barcelona game. PSG have not said when he is expected back; ScoreLab will update this article as the situation develops.