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Cristiano Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes breaks silence after row and split from Saudi star
Cristiano Ronaldo parted ways with super-agent Jorge Mendes after a row over his Piers Morgan interview.
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s former long-time agent Jorge Mendes has spoken out for the first time since the pair split amid the Manchester United icon’s move to Saudi Arabia. Mendes had reportedly disagreed with his client’s decision to appear on Piers Morgan’s show that ultimately ended with the Red Devils terminating his contract, before the five-time Ballon d’Or winner moved to Al Nassr.
At the time, Portuguese outlet Publico claimed that Mendes opposed to the interview as he knew Ronaldo would be unable to secure a place at another top European club after it, while the star’s personal manager Ricky Regufe negotiated the move to the Middle East. Despite their business partnership breaking down, Mendes maintains that the pair remain close - describing the Portugal captain as “the best player in the entire history of world football”.
“Our personal relationship continues to be close, a great personal relationship,” Mendes said. “How do I see this phase of his life? Cristiano will always be in my heart. He is a special player and a special person for me.
“If I, a few years ago, thought that I could have a player with half the value of Cristiano, I would sign for less! And all of us Portuguese should be proud to have had and still have a player like him.
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“I've always said it and I'll say it all my life: he was and is the best player in the entire history of world football! I don't have the slightest doubt, even compared to others.”
Ronaldo was said to have been disappointed that Mendes could not arrange a move for him last summer to either Chelsea or Bayern Munich after skipping United’s pre-season tour, but the final straw that ended their partnership was the controversial interview with Morgan where Ronaldo criticised the club and head coach Erik ten Hag.
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Mendes, however, does not seem to harbour any grudges and continued to praise his former employer. He added: “You have to see what he managed to do. Football is goals! There's a lot of strength there and a lot of work too,” Mendes added. “He's an example for young people and he's done everything a great professional would have to do... because he's the best of them all!
“But it is also true that he was a virtuous player when he was young: you were talking about Ronaldinho Gaucho and [Lionel] Messi, but when he was young, Cristiano was also virtuous! And strong in the 'one on one', and explosive!
“Cristiano has turned into a machine! Many people never really thought about that growth process that led him, in fact, to be the best in history. And for me, he will always be the best in history.”