David Mendes da Silva

3.1. Club career

Mendes da Silva began his professional career with Sparta Rotterdam, signing his first professional contract in 1999 after progressing through their youth system. He played 117 matches and scored 8 goals for Sparta during his initial five-year spell. In 2003, he had a brief loan stint with Ajax, but due to injuries, he was unable to secure a place under manager Ronald Koeman and made no official appearances before returning to Sparta. He departed Sparta permanently in 2004.

In the summer of 2004, Mendes da Silva signed a four-year contract with NAC Breda. Over two seasons with the club, he made 56 appearances and scored 5 goals. His performances there led to his transfer to AZ Alkmaar on June 15, 2006, where he signed a five-year deal alongside his teammate Julian Jenner. At AZ, under the management of Louis van Gaal, he became a regular player for four seasons, making 119 appearances and scoring 11 goals across all competitions. A significant highlight of his time at AZ was their historic Eredivisie title triumph in the 2008-09 season, their first league title in 28 years. This success earned them a spot in the UEFA Champions League. On October 20, 2009, Mendes da Silva scored a dramatic 93rd-minute equalizer against Arsenal in a UEFA Champions League match, securing a valuable point for his team in what was considered a historic result, though AZ ultimately finished last in their group.

In 2010, he transferred to Austrian club FC Red Bull Salzburg for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract. He was identified as a major transfer target by Salzburg's coach, fellow Dutchman Huub Stevens, and had previously worked with Stevens' assistant, Ton Lokhoff, during his time at NAC Breda. Despite establishing himself quickly upon arrival, his time at Salzburg was plagued by chronic pubic inflammation and recurring ankle injuries, which significantly limited his playing opportunities. He made 43 appearances and scored 4 goals for the club. By mutual agreement, his contract with Red Bull Salzburg was terminated on February 14, 2013.

On July 4, 2013, Mendes da Silva joined Greek club Panathinaikos, managed by Giannis Anastasiou, on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. With Panathinaikos, he achieved further success, winning the Greek Cup in the 2013-14 season with a 4-1 victory over PAOK. After finishing first in the Super League playoffs, Panathinaikos participated in the third and playoff rounds of the UEFA Champions League, where they were defeated and subsequently entered the group stage of the 2014-15 UEFA Europa League. He made 38 appearances for Panathinaikos without scoring a goal. In October 2015, at the age of 33, Mendes da Silva initially announced his retirement from playing and immediately transitioned into a coaching role at the club. However, he returned to professional football for the 2016-17 season, rejoining his boyhood club, Sparta Rotterdam, for a brief stint, making 9 appearances. He had a playing height of 73 in ^{(186 cm)} and weighed 174 lb ^{(79 kg)}, and preferred his right foot.

3.2. International career

David Mendes da Silva represented the Netherlands at various levels. He was part of the Dutch U-20 team that participated in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship, where they were eliminated by the Egyptian U-20 team in the quarter-finals.

He received his first call-up to the senior national team for a match against England on November 15, 2006, under manager Marco van Basten, but did not play. His full international debut for the Netherlands came on February 7, 2007, in a 4-1 victory against Russia, where he came on as a substitute for Nigel de Jong in the 63rd minute. In total, Mendes da Silva earned seven caps for the Oranje, with his last appearance being in 2009, in a 0-0 draw against Australia. He was also named in the 30-man provisional squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup by manager Bert van Marwijk but was ultimately not included in the final 23-man roster.