María Méndez
{{short description|Spanish footballer (born 2001)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{family name hatnote|Méndez|Fernández|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = María Méndez
| image =
| caption =
| fullname = María Méndez Fernández
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|2001|04|10}}{{Soccerway|id=540553|accessdate=31 October 2021}}
| birth_place = Oviedo, Spain{{cite web |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/c/jugador.html?id=3107|title=María Méndez|publisher=BDFutbol|accessdate=31 October 2021}}
| height = 1.70 m
| position = Centre back
| currentclub = Real Madrid
| clubnumber = 14
| youthyears1 = 2015–2016
| youthclubs1 = Oviedo Moderno B
| years1 = 2016–2019
| clubs1 = Oviedo Moderno/Real Oviedo
| caps1 = 3+
| goals1 = 0+
| years2 = 2019–2020
| clubs2 = Deportivo La Coruña
| caps2 = 20
| goals2 = 4
| years3 = 2020–2024
| clubs3 = Levante
| caps3 = 88
| goals3 = 6
| years4 = 2024–
| clubs4 = Real Madrid
| caps4 = 4
| goals4 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2018
| nationalteam1 = Spain U17
| nationalcaps1 = 11
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2019
| nationalteam2 = Spain U19
| nationalcaps2 = 2
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2021–2022
| nationalteam4 = Spain U23
| nationalcaps4 = 3
| nationalgoals4 = 1
| nationalyears5 = 2022–
| nationalteam5 = Spain
| nationalcaps5 = 6
| nationalgoals5 = 2
| nationalyears6 = 2019
| nationalteam6 = Asturias
| nationalcaps6 = 1
| nationalgoals6 = 1
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Women's football}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fba|Spain}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|UEFA Women's Nations League}}
{{Medal|W|2024 France–Netherlands–Spain|}}
{{Medal|Comp|UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship}}
{{Medal|W|2018 Lithuania|}}
{{Medal|Comp|FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup}}
{{Medal|W|2018 Uruguay|}}
| pcupdate = 16:09, 12 April 2024 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 16:09, 12 April 2024 (UTC)
}}
María Méndez Fernández (born 10 April 2001) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Liga F club Real Madrid and the Spain women's national team.
Club career
= Oviedo Moderno/Real Oviedo: (2014–2019) =
Méndez began playing for Oviedo Moderno's youth teams at 13, and eventually moved up to their B team.{{cite web |url=https://www.txapeldunak.com/cas/futbol_femenino/jugadora.asp?id=11533|title=Pecas|publisher=Txapeldunak|accessdate=31 October 2021}}{{Cite web|last=|date=2019-06-17|title=María Méndez, segundo fichaje del Deportivo ABANCA 19-20|url=https://www.riazor.org/maria-mendez-segundo-fichaje-del-deportivo-abanca-19-20/|access-date=2021-11-02|website=Riazor.org|language=es}} At 15, she made her debut for Oviedo's senior team, and for the 2016–17 season, she made the jump to the first team, which was relegated to the Segunda División in the previous season.{{Cite web|last=Candal|first=Rocío|date=2019-11-15|title=María Méndez: "Soy una jugadora muy exigente, si juego un partido mal, estoy rayada durante varios días"|url=https://www.riazor.org/maria-mendez-soy-una-jugadora-muy-exigente-si-juego-un-partido-mal-estoy-rayada-durante-varios-dias/|access-date=2021-11-02|website=Riazor.org|language=es}}{{Cite web|title=María Méndez Fernández - Defensa Levante UD - Futboleras|url=https://www.futboleras.es/jugadora/maria-mendez-fernandez-ref496.html|access-date=2021-11-02|website=www.futboleras.es|publisher=Futboleras|language=es}} Around this time, Méndez began to play as a midfielder, which she would continue to do before leaving for Deportivo de La Coruña.
In the 2017–18 season, Méndez won Group 1 of the Segunda División with Oviedo.{{Cite web|date=2018-08-31|title=El Real Oviedo Femenino, campeón del grupo primero de Segunda|url=https://www.elcomercio.es/deportes/futbol-femenino-asturias/segunda-division/real-oviedo-femenino-gana-liga-20180831161733-nt.html|access-date=2021-11-02|website=El Comercio|publisher=El Comercio|language=es}} They advanced to promotion playoffs for the Primera División, but were knocked out 1–2 on aggregate by EdF Logroño. After Méndez won the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup with Spain, she was honored at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere, and Oviedo released a statement hailing her as a "club legend."{{Cite web|date=2018-12-24|title=El sueño de María Méndez, hecho realidad|url=https://eldesmarque.com/asturias/oviedo/noticias-2/140160-el-sueno-de-maria-mendez-hecho-realidad|access-date=2021-11-02|website=ElDesmarque Asturias|publisher=ElDesmarque|language=es}}{{Cite web|date=21 December 2018|title=Saque de honor de María Méndez {{!}} Real Oviedo - Web Oficial|url=https://www.realoviedo.es/noticia/saque-de-honor-de-maria-mendez|access-date=2021-11-02|website=Saque de honor de María Méndez {{!}} Real Oviedo - Web Oficial|publisher=Real Oviedo|language=es}}
While at Oviedo, Méndez was given the nickname "Pecas," meaning "freckles" in Spanish.{{Cite web|last=Antelo|first=Iván|date=2020-11-13|title=Reencuentro con María Méndez, la baja que destrozó al Deportivo femenino|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/torremarathon/2020/11/13/reencuentro-maria-mendez-baja-destrozo-deportivo-femenino/00031605300017370454955.htm|access-date=2021-11-02|website=La Voz de Galicia|publisher=La Voz de Galicia|language=es}} Later on in her time at Oviedo, Méndez became one of the club's captains.{{Cite web|last=Arroyo Torres|first=Matías|date=2021-11-01|title=GRADA 3 entrevista a María Méndez: "Empecé jugando muy pequeña en el equipo iba a todos los sitios con una pelota en la mano."|url=https://www.grada3.com/2021/11/01/grada-3-entrevista-a-maria-mendez-empece-jugando-muy-pequena-en-el-equipo-iba-a-todos-los-sitios-con-una-pelota-en-la-mano/|access-date=2021-11-02|website=Grada3.COM|publisher=Grada3|language=es}}
= Deportivo la Coruña: (2019–2020) =
On 17 June, 2019, Méndez joined newly-promoted Deportivo de La Coruña with a one-year deal upon the expiration of her contract with Oviedo. In her first season playing in the Spanish top flight, she made 20 league appearances and scored 4 goals as the club finished in 6th place.
= Levante UD: (2020–2024 ) =
On 24 June, 2020, Méndez joined Levante UD on a three-year deal.{{Cite web|date=24 June 2020|title=El Levante UD ficha a la defensa María Méndez para las próximas tres temporadas|url=https://www.levanteud.com/es/info/el-levante-ud-ficha-a-la-defensa-maria-mendez-para-las-proximas-tres-temporadas|access-date=2021-11-02|website=LevanteUD|publisher=Levante UD|language=es}} In her first season at Levante, Méndez played all but two of Levante's league matches as they finished third in the Primera División, qualifying for the UEFA Women's Champions League for the first time in 12 years.{{Cite web|last=Alberto|first=Martínez de la Calle|date=2021-08-18|title=Por Europa con paso firme|url=https://www.lasprovincias.es/levanteud/europa-paso-firme-20210818213229-nt.html|access-date=2021-11-02|website=Las Provincias|publisher=Las Provincias|language=es}} She also played in each match of Levante's runner-up 2020–21 Copa de la Reina campaign. In the quarterfinals of the tournament, Méndez scored both goals in a 2–1 win against UDG Tenerife to send Levante through to the semifinals.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-05|title=La ovetense María Méndez, protagonista del Levante en la Copa|url=https://www.lavozdeasturias.es/noticia/azulcarbayon/2021/05/05/ovetense-maria-mendez-protagonista-levante-copa/00031620234393583262587.htm|access-date=2021-11-02|website=La Voz de Asturias|publisher=La Voz de Asturias|language=es}} After beating Atlético Madrid in extra time, Méndez played the first Copa de la Reina final of her career as Levante lost 4–2 to FC Barcelona.{{Cite web|date=27 May 2021|title=CRÓNICA {{!}} El Levante UD se nombra "finalista" de la Copa de SM la Reina (0-1) {{!}} rfef.es|url=https://www.rfef.es/noticias/cronica-levante-ud-se-nombra-finalista-copa-sm-reina-0-1|access-date=2021-11-02|website=www.rfef.es|publisher=RFEF}}{{Cite web|date=30 May 2021|title=Barça Women 4-2 Levante: Cup champions!|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/2163141/barca-women-4-2-levante-cup-champions|access-date=2021-11-02|website=www.fcbarcelona.com|publisher=FC Barcelona|language=en}}
Ahead of the 2021–22 season, Méndez was given the role of Levante's fourth captain.{{Cite web|title=Alharilla, Alba Redondo, Toletti y María Méndez serán las capitanas del Levante UD en la 2021-22|url=https://www.levanteud.com/es/info/alharilla-alba-redondo-toletti-y-maria-mendez-seran-las-capitanas-del-levante-ud-en-la-2021-22|access-date=2021-11-02|website=LevanteUD|publisher=Levante UD|language=es}} She made her debut in the UEFA Women's Champions League with a win against Celtic in the first qualifying round, and Levante advanced to the final round after defeating Rosenborg BK. Levante faced Olympique Lyonnais in the final round of qualifying and lost 4–2 on aggregate, ending their Champions League season.{{Cite web|last=G. Gil|first=Aimara|date=2021-09-08|title=El Levante cayó ante el Lyon con la cabeza muy alta|url=https://as.com/futbol/2021/09/08/femenino/1631124830_554139.html|access-date=2021-11-02|website=AS.com|publisher=Diario AS|language=es}}
International career
Méndez was a regular starter in Spain's U17 team that won the 2018 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship, which qualified them for the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.
On 2 November, 2018, Méndez was called up to play in the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.{{Cite web|date=2018-11-02|title=María Méndez jugará el mundial sub 17|url=http://juventudestadio.es/2018/11/02/maria-mendez-jugara-el-mundial-sub-17/|access-date=2021-11-02|website=Juventud Estadio Club de Fútbol - Oviedo|language=es-ES}} She started all of Spain's matches in the tournament, and on 1 December, 2018, Méndez started the final of the final against Mexico, which ended in a 2–1 victory for Spain.{{Cite web|date=2018-11-28|title=María Méndez ya es finalista del Mundial Sub-17|url=https://www.lavozdeasturias.es/noticia/azulcarbayon/2018/11/28/maria-mendez-finalista-mundial-sub-17/00031543437654565806901.htm|access-date=2021-11-02|website=La Voz de Asturias|publisher=La Voz de Asturias|language=es}}{{Cite web|last=Rubio|first=Héctor|date=2018-12-01|title=CRÓNICA {{!}} ¡¡¡CAMPEONAS DEL MUNDO SUB-17!!! España toca el cielo en Uruguay|url=https://www.sefutbol.com/cronica-campeonas-del-mundo-sub-17-espana-toca-cielo-uruguay|access-date=2021-11-02|website=www.sefutbol.com|publisher=RFEF|language=es}} Spain's U17s became the first Spanish team to win a Women's World Cup in any age category.
In 2019, Méndez was given her first call-up to Spain's U-19 women's national team.{{Cite web|last=Fernández|first=Pablo|date=2019-10-30|title=El paso adelante de María Méndez|url=https://www.lavozdeasturias.es/noticia/azulcarbayon/2019/10/29/maria-mendez-da-paso/00031572369146066503876.htm|access-date=2021-11-02|website=La Voz de Asturias|publisher=La Voz de Asturias|language=es}}
Méndez made her senior debut on 11 November 2022, starting in a 7-0 friendly home win over Argentina. She scored her first international goal in the Nations League 7-1 away win over Switzerland.{{cite web |last1=Menayo |first1=David |title=Oihane y Méndez se estrenan con el gol: "Quería celebrarlo, pero no podía" |url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/futbol-femenino/uefa-nations-league-femenina/2023/10/31/654177c0e2704e7f2e8b4572.html |website=Marca.com |date=31 October 2023 |access-date=1 November 2023}}
Personal life
Méndez is the younger sister of Miguel Méndez, a former player of Real Oviedo's youth teams and the former coach of Real Oviedo Femenino.{{Cite web|last=Fernández|first=Pablo|date=2019-11-27|title=Miguel Méndez, nuevo entrenador del Real Oviedo Femenino|url=https://www.lavozdeasturias.es/noticia/azulcarbayon/2019/11/27/miguel-mendez-nuevo-entrenador-real-oviedo-femenino/00031574844502080664996.htm|access-date=2021-11-02|website=La Voz de Asturias|publisher=La Voz de Asturias|language=es}}{{Cite web|date=2020-08-29|title=El Real Oviedo Femenino prescinde de Miguel Méndez|url=https://www.lavozdeasturias.es/noticia/azulcarbayon/2020/08/29/real-oviedo-femenino-prescinde-miguel-mendez/00031598715326075171557.htm|access-date=2021-11-02|website=La Voz de Asturias|publisher=La Voz de Asturias|language=es}}
Career statistics
= International =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="3" |Spain
|2022 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 2 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 6 | 2 |
:Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Méndez goal.
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by María Méndez |
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition |
|---|
| align="center"|1
|31 October 2023 |Letzigrund, Zürich, Switzerland |{{fbw|CHE}} |align="center"|3–0 |align="center"|7–1 |
| align="center"|2
|9 April 2024 |Estadio El Plantío, Burgos, Spain |{{fbw|CZE}} |align="center"|1–1 |align="center"|3–1 |
Honours
Real Oviedo
Spain U17
Spain
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.laliga.com/en-GB/player/maria-mendez Profile] at La Liga
{{Real Madrid Femenino squad}}
{{Spain women's football squad 2024 Summer Olympics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Méndez, María}}
Category:Footballers from Oviedo
Category:Spanish women's footballers
Category:Women's association football defenders
Category:Real Oviedo (women) players
Category:Deportivo de La Coruña (women) players
Category:Levante UD Femenino players
Category:Spain women's youth international footballers
Category:Spain women's international footballers
Category:21st-century Spanish sportswomen