Finding himself surplus to requirements at Torino, Mendez moved back home in
a late effort to force his way in to Uruguay's World Cup team.
he seems to have succeeded, despite hardly figuring in Nacional's first XI.
Mendez has been on the bench for most of the campaign. It is hard not to feel sorry for Washington Tais, the man who missed out.
He was Uruguay's right-back on the run in towards qualification.
performances were not entirely convincing, but at the time he was not
getting a game with Betis in the Spanish league.
Competition in attack
By the end of the season
he had won back his club place, but now finds himself cast aside by his country.
It is a decision that not all in Uruguay agree with.
Recently club side
Penarol played a big game in the Copa Libertadores, South America's
Defender Robert Lima scored - and celebrated by removing
his Penarol top to reveal a Uruguay shirt with the number two and the name
Tais printed on the back.
But in the World Cup that shirt will belong to Mendez.
An alternative is
the versatile Gianni Guigou, who normally figures in midfield or at left-back.