Landon Donovan reacted to viral photos of Fernando Mendoza drinking from a water fountain, reminiscent of Donovan's own iconic 2002 photo. Donovan's comments came as Mendoza is expected to be the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Key points
Landon Donovan reacted to Fernando Mendoza's viral photos
Mendoza's photos resemble Donovan's 2002 water fountain shoot
Donovan's phone was 'blowing up' with reactions
Mendoza is expected to be the first overall pick in the NFL Draft
Donovan's favorite NFL team is likely to select Mendoza
Mentioned in this story
Landon DonovanFernando Mendoza
After a series of photos featuring Fernando Mendoza spread across the internet, Landon Donovan said his phone had been "blowing up."
It's easy to see why.
The presumed first overall NFL Draft pick was photographed by Esquire drinking from a water fountain, in a manner that was highly reminiscent of an infamous 2002 photo shoot featuring Donovan and other U.S. men's national team players.
Perhaps the most notorious shot that ran in New York Times Magazine in 2002 featured Donovan somewhat seductively drinking from a water fountain.
Donovan, whose favorite NFL team is expected to select Mendoza in next week's draft, couldn't pass up the chance to comment on Mendoza's reenactment 24 years later.
"So a few things: One, Raiders, please pick Fernando Mendoza. Two, Fernando, little credit to the guy who did it first," the USMNT legend said in a video on social media.
"Curious, who do you guys think did it better? I was the OG, he's bringing it back 24 years later. Wonder if he knew anything about it. Let me know who did it better. I'm not sure I want to win this thing anyway, so maybe vote for him."
Weston McKennie of United States and Samu Costa of Portugal compete for the ball during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
Christian Pulisic of United States controls the ball during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
Q&A
What did Landon Donovan say about Fernando Mendoza's photos?
Landon Donovan mentioned that his phone was 'blowing up' after the photos of Mendoza went viral.
Why are Fernando Mendoza's water fountain photos significant?
The photos are significant because they evoke a famous 2002 photo of Donovan drinking from a fountain, creating a nostalgic connection.
Who is expected to draft Fernando Mendoza in the NFL?
Mendoza is widely anticipated to be the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft by Donovan's favorite team.
What is the connection between Landon Donovan and the 2002 photo shoot?
Landon Donovan was part of the infamous 2002 photo shoot that featured him drinking from a water fountain, which has become iconic.
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Vitinha of Portugal passes against Alex Freeman of United States during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
Timothy Weah of United States controls the ball during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
Mauricio Pochettino greets Roberto Martinez, Head Coach of Portugal, right, prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
Bruno Fernandes of Portugal is challenged by Auston Trusty of United States during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta.
Aidan Morris of United States is challenged by Joao Cancelo of Portugal during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
Mauricio Pochettino looks on prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
Sebastian Berhalter of United States passes whilst under pressure from Goncalo Ramos of Portugal during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
Fans of United States cheer prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
Players of United States form a huddle prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
Players of United States and Belgium line up prior to the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
Belgium's Jeremy Doku (11) controls the ball against the USA at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.
USA's Christian Pulisic (10) controls the ball against Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.
USA's Weston McKennie (8) scores a goal against Belgium during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) scores a goal on a penalty kick against the USA at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) reacts Wirth teammates after scoring a goal on a penalty kick against the USA at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.
USA soccer fans shown during the match against Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.
Amadou Onana #24 of Belgium is challenged by Malik Tillman #17 of the United States during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
Belgium's Dodi Lukebakio (14) scores a goal against the USA during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.
Weston McKennie of the United States celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
A fan of United States with face paint looks on during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
USA's Mark McKenzie (22) and Belgium's Lois Openda (9) fight for the ball at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.
Dodi Lukebakio #14 of Belgium celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with teammate Jeremy Doku #11 during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
Nathan Ngoy #20 of Belgium is challenged by Sebastian Berhalter #14 of the United States during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
Dodi Lukebakio #14 of Belgium scores his team's fifth goal during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
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See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Weston McKennie of United States and Samu Costa of Portugal compete for the ball during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
1 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Weston McKennie of United States and Samu Costa of Portugal compete for the ball during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
2 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Christian Pulisic of United States controls the ball during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
3 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Vitinha of Portugal passes against Alex Freeman of United States during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
4 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Timothy Weah of United States controls the ball during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
5 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Mauricio Pochettino greets Roberto Martinez, Head Coach of Portugal, right, prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
6 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Bruno Fernandes of Portugal is challenged by Auston Trusty of United States during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta.
7 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Aidan Morris of United States is challenged by Joao Cancelo of Portugal during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
8 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Mauricio Pochettino looks on prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
9 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Sebastian Berhalter of United States passes whilst under pressure from Goncalo Ramos of Portugal during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
10 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Fans of United States cheer prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
11 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Players of United States form a huddle prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
12 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Players of United States and Belgium line up prior to the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
13 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Belgium's Jeremy Doku (11) controls the ball against the USA at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.
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See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
USA's Christian Pulisic (10) controls the ball against Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.
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See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
USA's Weston McKennie (8) scores a goal against Belgium during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.
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See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) scores a goal on a penalty kick against the USA at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.
17 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) reacts Wirth teammates after scoring a goal on a penalty kick against the USA at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.
18 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
USA soccer fans shown during the match against Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.
19 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Amadou Onana #24 of Belgium is challenged by Malik Tillman #17 of the United States during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
20 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Belgium's Dodi Lukebakio (14) scores a goal against the USA during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.
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See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Weston McKennie of the United States celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
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See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
A fan of United States with face paint looks on during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
23 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
USA's Mark McKenzie (22) and Belgium's Lois Openda (9) fight for the ball at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.
24 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Dodi Lukebakio #14 of Belgium celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with teammate Jeremy Doku #11 during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
25 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Nathan Ngoy #20 of Belgium is challenged by Sebastian Berhalter #14 of the United States during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
26 / 26
See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies
Dodi Lukebakio #14 of Belgium scores his team's fifth goal during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.
