He is the only player to have represented the five Portuguese clubs who have won a Primeira Liga title (Sporting CP, Benfica, Boavista, Belenenses and Porto).
Having been brought up at Sporting CP's youth system at the same time as Paulo Futre, he made his first-team debut in 1984–85 aged 18, and reached the Portugal national team shortly after.
Released by Benfica, he appeared for three teams in as many years before joining the last of the Big Three, FC Porto, thus representing all the major clubs in his country as Futre.
[2] Mendes won his first Primeira Liga championship with the northern side in 1996–97 (the second overall), contributing 22 matches and three goals to the feat.
[3][4] After helping the Sadinos to retain their league status, he retired from professional football with top-division totals of 321 games and 12 goals.