Rui Mendes

Following his move to Telstar, Mendes's current-season form is level with last season (Season 0→0), while his Rating held around 46. His peak season for form remains 2021/22 (Season 54).

Domestic career

Season	Club	Apps	G	A	Match	RTG	Season
2026/27	Telstar · 13th	6	1	0	6.49	46	0
2025/26	Groningen · 9th	6	0	0	6.32	46	0
2024/25	Groningen · 13th	34	1	1	6.46	57	8
2023/24	Groningen	19	1	3	6.47	—	—
2023/24	Emmen · 7th	30	4	4	6.67	54	23
2022/23	Emmen · 16th	37	2	6	6.47	69	28

Domestic-league totals per season. RTG = Field Insider Rating (potential / ceiling); Season = age-blind form that year. 1 earlier season and 5 youth-team spells in the full career.

Scout report

Squad depthCentral midfielder

Rui Mendes is a 26-year-old central midfielder at Groningen, rated 46.2 overall by Field Insider's model. In his prime years, he has been a fringe squad member this season (2.2% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 1.29 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Mendes.

On the season, Mendes graded 0 for current form (age-blind), on 0 goals, 0 assists and 1.286 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's broadly in line with last season (Season 0 → 0). Over the 6 seasons on record his form has drifted down, peaking in 2021/22.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 46. At 26 Mendes is in his prime years, and a market index of 21.3 reflects that trajectory.

From the career report

Read the full career report →

Past his 2021/22 peak — the recent trend is downward, so buyers are paying for what's left, not what was.

Peak: 2021/22Trending downStreakyStepped up 2022/23

46.2

Ratingi

a solid contributor and squad regular

0.3

Seasoni

below regular-starter level

2.2%

Minutes

limited game time

1.29

Def. actions / 90

light defensive volume

Output in context · Groningen finished 9th of 18 · a mid-table side

Apps

1.29

Def. / 90

Tackles

—

Interceptions

Clean sheets

1.29 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — light defensive volume across 6 appearances.

Watch points

Game time. Only 2.2% of available minutes — needs a settled run to prove the level.

Outlook

Rated 46.2 overall — a solid contributor and squad regular. Defensively he reads as light defensive volume (1.29 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). In the prime window — at or near peak market value, so the next two seasons are the ones to cash in or build around.

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Per 90 & availability

Minutes played %2.2%

Available fixtures35 of 35

Goals / 900

Assists / 900

Goal contribution / 900

Defensive actions / 901.286

Player flow

Goal involvements0

Cards / 900

Season-by-season progression

Rating (potential)Season (form)

Value & potential by age

Market valueRating

Solid = now · dashed = projected

The gold line is market value — an index (not €) blending rating, age and league. It climbs through the early 20s, peaks around ages 23–27 (~21), then tapers with age. At 26, Mendes sits on 21.3, at or near its peak. The blue line is Mendes's projected Rating — 46.2 today — recomputed at each age, so it follows the same rise-and-fall as a career matures and declines. Solid = up to today; dashed = projected.

Transfer history

TelstarJul 2026 – nowFree

Groningenuntil Jul 2026

Free agentJun 2026 – Jul 2026Free

GroningenJan 2024 – Jun 2026

Emmenuntil Jan 2024

Hoffenheim IIJul 2018 – Jan 2024Free

Arminia Bielefelduntil Jul 2018

About Rui Mendes

Rui Jorge Monteiro Mendes is a 26-year-old central midfielder who plays for Telstar, born on November 10, 1999 in Gondar, standing 179 cm tall. He is from Portugal. Telstar currently sit 13th of 18 in the Eredivisie.

This season

In the current season, Rui Mendes has made 6 appearances with 1 goal and 0 assists across 394 minutes, averaging a 6.42 match rating over his last 6 rated games, with 1 yellow card. Though primarily a central midfielder, he has also lined up in attack this season.

When Rui Mendes plays, Telstar's record this season is 1W-2D-3L — and his match ratings average 6.13 at home against 6.71 on the road.

Recent matches

September 13, 2026: 0-0 draw away at Heerenveen (75 minutes, 6.26 rating)
September 9, 2026: 0-1 loss away at Twente (82 minutes, 6.58 rating)
September 6, 2026: 2-2 draw at home vs Cambuur (60 minutes, 5.49 rating)
August 30, 2026: 0-4 loss at home vs Ajax (65 minutes, 6.6 rating)
August 14, 2026: 1-3 loss at home vs Sparta Rotterdam (57 minutes, 6.3 rating)
August 8, 2026: 2-1 win away at NEC Nijmegen (55 minutes, 1 goal, 7.3 rating)

Rui Mendes's next match is on September 20, 2026, when Telstar face AZ Alkmaar away in the Eredivisie.

Field Insider's view

Field Insider currently rates Rui Mendes at 46.2 with a Season form score of 0.3. See the full scout report for strengths, watch-points and the market-value outlook.

His honours include 2 career titles — among them the Eerste Divisie. Full list in the career record.

Career

Across 11 recorded seasons, Rui Mendes has totalled 277 club appearances with 47 goals and 19 assists for 5 different clubs. His busiest campaign came in 2022/23, with 37 appearances for Emmen.

Rui Mendes's career has also included time at Groningen, Emmen, Hoffenheim II and Arminia Bielefeld.

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.