 Nyorai kuenderera mberi kweiyi ndima - Muna Kurume Chivabvu 1996, Mendieta aive chikamu chechikwata cheSpain pasi pemakore makumi maviri nerimwe chakange chiri mumhanyi muEFAFA European Championship. Akaita kutanga kwake kwechikwata chevakuru musi wa27 Kurume 1999, achiuya semutsivi waJuan Carlos Valerón mukukunda 9-0 kweAustria pamatanho ekufanirwa eUEFA Euro 2000; akaverengerwa mune runyorwa rwe22 yemakwikwi muBelgium neNetherlands, achibatsira timu yenyika kusvika kune vasere vekupedzisira. 