SOCCER
Mendes speaks for first time about split with Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese football agent spoke publicly at an event in Viana do Castelo and promised ‘big deals’ in the forthcoming summer months.
High profile soccer agent Jorge Mendes was one of the key speakers at an event organised by the Portuguese National Sports Press Club (CNID) and left many on tenterhooks with his comments during the summit: “There will be news soon because big deals will be going down this summer. There will be some major high profile transfers but I cannot give any clues, but some of the deals are already well in discussion”, he assured in statements collected by Portuguese sports daily A Bola.
Mendes assured that he was referring to the European market and also alluded to the domestic Portuguese league with the Liga Bwin always a source of interest for many high profile European clubs. Mendes added: “Every year, the Portuguese clubs know that they can always count on me. I will always be prepared to try to solve all your problems. I am already in contact with some of these clubs,” he said.
“I have a great relationship with Cristiano”
The agent also took advantage of the event to talk about Cristiano Ronaldo, with both individuals severing ties after years working together. The veteran striker’s big money move to Saudi side Al Nassr was the first move not overseen by Mendes but by Ricardo Regufe. Mendes maintains that he still has “a great personal relationship.” with the striker and added “Cristiano will always be in my heart.
He is a special player and a special person for me. And all of us Portuguese should be proud to have had and continue having a player like him. I’ll say it forever: “he was and is the best player in the history of world football”.