Super agent Mendes' 10 biggest clients after 'splitting' with star man Ronaldo
Jorge Mendes is a name that is well-known within the footballing landscape with the Portuguese super agent representing some of the most illustrious names across Europe.
Until recently, the 57-year-old included five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo among his long list of clients having helped the forward secure moves to Real Madrid, Juventus and his emotional return to Manchester United. Mendes was not present during the Portuguese’s record-breaking switch to Saudi outfit Al-Nassr.
Disagreements over his behaviour and explosive interview saw the long working relationship acrimoniously ended with his new representative Ricardo Regufe spearheading talks. Here are Mendes’ ten standout remaining clients that he might hope to mastermind moves for sooner rather than later.
Bernardo Silva - Man City
The first player who could pocket compatriot Mendes a pretty penny is Man City playmaker Bernardo Silva. As per transfermarkt, the former Monaco playmaker is the most valuable player on Gestifute’s books.
He has recently reiterated his desire for a fresh challenge away from the Etihad Stadium sooner rather than later so Mendes might be hard at work engaging into negotiations sooner. Barcelona remain interested but appear unlikely to make a move due to their dire financial situation.
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Ruben Dias - Man City
Still only 25, it seems that Portuguese defender Ruben Dias has been at the Etihad Stadium for far longer. The former Benfica star moved to City for a £61m fee in the summer of 2020 and has been a key player ever since.
He has played over 100 times under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola and already has two Premier League titles to his name. He has a contract until the summer of 2027 so it appears unlikely that he will be on the move any time soon.
Ruben Dias is one of Jorge Mendes' most valuable clients (Getty Images)Who do you think is Jorge Mendes' best client? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Joao Cancelo - Man City
A hat-trick of Man City players and a hat-trick of Portugal stars, versatile full-back Joao Cancelo has some of Europe’s biggest clubs on his CV including the Sky Blues, Valencia and Juventus. Since being at the Etihad Stadium, he has developed the reputation as one of the most effective, attacking defenders in Europe.
He was initially signed in the summer of 2019 with ex-City defender Danilo moving to Turin in part-exchange, a deal that would likely have been hugely difficult to negotiate.
Darwin Nunez - Liverpool
One of the players that has recently earned Mendes and his Gestifute agency a small fortune, Uruguay forward Nunez initially made his name with Penarol before being brought to Europe by Almeria. His goalscoring displays for the Spanish side saw him seal a move to Portuguese giants Benfica and he continued his stunning performances in earnest.
A 34-goal season convinced Liverpool to make what could turn into a record deal to take Nunez to Anfield. The young striker has endured a difficult debut campaign thus far so he will be sure to want to improve.
Fabinho - Liverpool
From one Liverpool signing to another, the Brazilian international has been key to a trophy-laden spell under Jurgen Klopp on Merseyside. He arrived at the club from French giants Monaco having helped the principality club to the Ligue 1 title.
Mendes’ Gestifute were at the heart of talks with Liverpool but the Portuguese was not actually representing Fabinho at the time. Ex-Chelsea and Barcelona star Deco held talks with the Reds having made the move into player representation at the end of his playing career.
Diogo Jota - Liverpool
Whilst Ronaldo enjoyed a lengthy working relationship with Mendes, the same can certainly be said of Portugal colleague Diogo Jota. Beginning his career with Pacos de Ferreira, he was helped to earn moves to Atletico Madrid, Porto and then Wolves - the former getting assistance from Mendes to secure Jota’s services whilst in the Championship.
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Things then got even better for the Portuguese forward as Liverpool elected to pay £41m to take him to Anfield in January 2020. Injuries have limited his contributions but Jota has still managed to score 34 goals in 93 matches in all competitions for the Reds.
Diogo Jota has been a long-term Mendes client (Getty Images)Joao Felix - Atletico Madrid
One of the most lucrative moves that Mendes has negotiated in his career, exciting forward Joao Felix moved from Benfica to Atletico Madrid in a £113m deal ahead of the 2019/20 season. He will no doubt have earned a pretty penny in the process and could be set to cash-in once again.
Atletico Madrid are reportedly now open to moving the striker on with relations with manager Diego Simeone having soured beyond repair. Man Utd and Arsenal have both been linked with the Spanish side demanding a huge loan fee to let him leave temporarily.
Matheus Nunes - Wolves
With Felix potentially set to hand Mendes a cash injection, the same could be said of Portuguese midfielder Matheus Nunes. The 24-year-old only joined Wolves in the summer having left Sporting Lisbon after three years.
Liverpool were previously linked with a move for the midfielder with reports suggesting that they could potentially be set to revive their interest as they attempt to find a cheaper alternative to Borussia Dortmund’s Ju de Bellingham.
Vitinha - PSG
Another player to have earned a move in the most recent summer transfer window, the 22-year-old had previously represented one of Mendes’ favoured clubs in the form of Wolves. He had a loan spell in the Midlands during the 2020/21 campaign but was only afforded 22 outings in all competitions.
He returned to parent club Porto and having helped the Portuguese giants to the league title, made a surprise switch to Paris Saint-Germain. He penned a five-year deal in the French capital after PSG activated the release clause in his contract.
Ederson - Man City
Potentially one of cheapest players on this entire list, Brazilian stopper Ederson was another of those to arrive in the Premier League from Portuguese giants Benfica. The now 29-year-old put pen to paper on a £35m switch to Man City in the summer of 2017.
He has been the club’s number one choice between the sticks having accumulated 263 appearances since. In that time, he has won four Premier League titles, as well as three Golden Gloves.
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