María Méndez is going through one of her best periods of form as a professional footballer. The Levante player from Oviedo has consolidated her place in the Spain squad since Montse Tomé took over as national team coach.

The Asturian centre-back, an international at levels of the youth categories from the U-16s, made her debut with the senior team on 11 November 2022 in Spain's seven-nil win over Argentina at the Álvarez Claro stadium in Melilla. Her first goal came on 31 October 2023 in a UEFA Women's Nations League Final Four qualifier against Switzerland at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich.

At the age of 22, María Méndez can already boast of having made more than 100 appearances in professional football at club level and of having become a permanent fixture in the national team coach Montse Tomé’s plans.