During his career, he played for Red Bull Salzburg, AZ, Sparta Rotterdam, Ajax, Panathinaikos and NAC Breda.

[1][2] On 20 October 2009, Mendes da Silva scored a 93rd-minute equaliser against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League to give his team somewhat of a historic result.

[3] On 4 July 2013, Mendes da Silva signed for Greek club Panathinaikos, managed by former Roda JC and Ajax triker Giannis Anastasiou,[4] on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

He having played for the Dutch U-20s team at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship (losing to Egypt in the quarter-finals), Mendes da Silva made his full international debut for the Netherlands on 7 February 2007.

Red Bull Salzburg Panathinaikos In August 2022, Mendes da Silva was arrested as part of an investigation into drug trafficking in the Netherlands.