Born in
Rotterdam, Mendes da Silva started his career at hometown club
Sparta Rotterdam, graduating through their youth system, signing a professional contract in 1999 and departing in 2004; he spent some time on loan at
Ajax in 2003 without making any official appearances. The next stop in his career was
NAC Breda, where he made 56 appearances, scoring five goals, across two seasons. In 2006, he was signed by
AZ Alkmaar on a five-year deal. He was a regular at AZ for four seasons which included a Dutch title triumph in
2008–09, making 119 appearances and scoring 11 goals in all competitions. in 2014 In 2010 he transferred for an undisclosed fee to
Red Bull Salzburg, whose coach
Huub Stevens had identified Mendes da Silva as a major transfer target; he signed a three-year contract with the Austrian side. He had previously worked with Stevens' assistant
Ton Lokhoff during his spell at NAC Breda. On 20 October 2009, Mendes da Silva scored a 93rd-minute equaliser against
Arsenal in the
UEFA Champions League to give his team somewhat of a historic result. He stayed with Red Bull until February 2013. On 4 July 2013, Mendes da Silva signed for Greek club
Panathinaikos, managed by former
Roda JC and Ajax triker Giannis Anastasiou, on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. With his new team he won the
Greek Cup in the 2013–14 season against
PAOK with a 4–1 scoreline, and after finishing first in the Super League playoffs Panathinaikos played in the third and playoff rounds of the
UEFA Champions League, where they were defeated and dropped into the group stage of the
2014–15 UEFA Europa League. ==International career==