Mendy recalls a heartfelt exchange with Italian goalkeeping great Gianluigi Buffon: “I was a huge fan, and when we faced him in the French league I felt a special joy; after the match, he congratulated me and asked for my shirt.”
However, the swap did not go through immediately, leaving him slightly disappointed yet unwilling to make a fuss.
Years later, while on international duty, Mendy renewed the request through a member of staff. Buffon replied that he remembered the young keeper and admired his progress.
“Then, on the very day I won The Best award, his shirt finally arrived—one of the happiest days of my career,” he concluded.