Most young midfielders get noticed for a goal. Tomás Mendes is a different kind of prospect. He's a holding player, the sort who gets noticed when he isn't there: when the space in front of the back four opens up, or a second ball goes the wrong way. Players like that rarely trend, so it's no surprise that fans checking on Deportivo Alavés' fringe and loan players keep landing on the same questions. How tall is he, what is he worth, and is he going to make it?
The honest answer to that last one is that nobody knows yet. But there's enough on the record to sketch a clear picture of where he stands at 21.
The Short Version
| Detail | What's on record |
|---|---|
| Full name | Tomás Alage Mendes Mendes |
| Born | 21 November 2004, Almería, Spain |
| Age | 21 (turns 22 in November 2026) |
| Background | Spanish-born, with Bissau-Guinean heritage |
| Position | Defensive midfielder, also central midfielder |
| Stronger foot | Right |
| Listed height | Between 1.79 m and 1.89 m, depending on the database |
| Club | Deportivo Alavés, with a loan at FC Alverca listed for 2025 to 2026 |
| Estimated market value | Around €500,000 |
| Estimated net worth | $300,000 to $700,000 (Icon Polls estimate) |
A Midfielder Built for the Unglamorous Jobs
Mendes is listed as a defensive midfielder first and a central midfielder second. That ordering tells you a lot. His game is about positioning, protecting the area in front of the defence, winning duels and moving the ball on simply. Goals aren't really part of the brief, and he isn't known for scoring them.
That makes him harder to judge from a distance. A winger's progress shows up in highlight clips. A holding midfielder's progress shows up in things like whether his coach trusts him in a tight game, whether he gets caught in possession under pressure, and whether he stays disciplined when the match gets messy. Those are qualities you build through minutes, and minutes are exactly what he's still chasing.
Almería, Guinea-Bissau and a Family Kept Out of View
Mendes was born in Almería on Spain's southern coast, and his background is commonly linked to Guinea-Bissau. That dual identity is why databases tend to mention both Spain and Guinea-Bissau when describing his eligibility, and he has been connected with Spain at youth level during his development years. Which senior side, if any, he ends up representing is a question for later.
His parents haven't been publicly named in football coverage, and there's no reliable confirmation of who they are or what they do. That's common for young players, and we're not going to fill the gap with guesses. If you see specific names floating around online, treat them with caution. He keeps his family life private, and that's his call.
Why Nobody Agrees on His Height
This is the oddest part of his public profile. Some listings put him at about 1.79 m. Others say closer to 1.89 m. Ten centimetres is a big gap, and it's the kind of discrepancy that usually comes from one database copying an outdated youth measurement while another updates it.
Either way, he's described as a tall, physical midfielder, and that matters for the role. Aerial challenges, second balls and screening space are bread and butter for a number six. Until a club publishes a firm figure, the fairest thing to say is that he's commonly listed somewhere between 1.79 m and 1.89 m.
The Loan That Matters Most
Mendes came through youth and reserve football before earning senior attention, and his senior minutes so far have been limited compared with established starters. That's not a red flag on its own. Plenty of holding midfielders don't settle until 23 or 24, because coaches are reluctant to hand the most positionally demanding job on the pitch to someone still learning it.
The loan to FC Alverca listed for 2025 to 2026 is the part worth watching. A loan only works if the player actually plays. If he came back with a run of regular senior games behind him, Alavés have a far more useful squad option. If he spent it on the bench, the conversation changes. With the new season already underway, his role for 2026 to 2027 is the clearest signal of how the club rates him, and readers should check the latest squad news rather than rely on older listings.
What the Money Probably Looks Like
His salary has never been made public, which is normal for a player at his level who isn't a commercial name. What's reasonable to say is that he earns like a young professional on the edge of a top-flight squad: modest next to established LaLiga regulars, but comfortable for his age.
Icon Polls estimates his net worth at $300,000 to $700,000 in 2026. That range is built on his career stage, likely club earnings and the typical pay for young midfielders still fighting for regular senior football. It's an estimate, not a confirmed figure, and the wide spread reflects how little is officially known.
Half a Million Euros, and Which Way It Moves
Public market estimates put him at around €500,000. For a 21-year-old, that number is mostly about potential rather than output, and it can move fast in either direction.
- If he becomes a regular starter, a valuation into seven figures is realistic. Young defensive midfielders with senior experience are always in demand.
- If he stays a squad or loan player, the figure will likely hold steady or drift down as his age stops working in his favour.
- Contract length matters too. A longer deal protects his value for Alavés; a shorter one hands leverage to other clubs.
Our read: he's a development player, and the next two seasons will tell us far more than anything he's done so far. That's not a criticism. It's just where he is.
Got a view on which midfielders actually deserve the big reputations? Have your say in our vote for the best football players of all time.
Three Things People Ask
How old is Tomás Mendes?
He's 21, born on 21 November 2004, so he turns 22 in November 2026.
Is he in EA FC 26?
He turns up in football game searches as a young midfielder, generally with modest ratings that reflect a player still developing.
What should fans watch next?
Minutes played, his squad role at Alavés or on loan, and any contract news. Those three things will shape both his value and his future more than any single performance.
