Jorge Mendes was born on January 7, 1966 in Lisbon, Portugal. Before entering the world of football, he ran several businesses, including owning a bar and a nightclub. Mendes began his career as a football agent in the late 1990s.
Jorge Mendes began his career as a football agent in the late 1990s, having previously run several businesses, including managing a bar and a nightclub. His first steps as an agent began when he successfully secured the transfer of Nuno Espírito Santo, a goalkeeper, from Vitória de Guimarães to Deportivo La Coruña in 1997. This success paved the way for Mendes to enter the world of football professionally.
In 1996, Mendes founded Gestifute, a sports management company that later grew rapidly and became one of the most influential agencies in the football industry. The pinnacle of Mendes’ early career came when he managed Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer from Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United in 2003.
The deal not only cemented Ronaldo’s reputation as one of the world’s best players but also established Mendes as a leading agent with an extensive network and excellent negotiating skills. Since then, Jorge Mendes has continued to expand his client base with high-profile players and coaches, making him one of the most renowned and successful agents in world football.
Jorge Mendes’ success as a football agent is based on his ability to secure major transfers and build long-term relationships with players and clubs. With the founding of Gestifute, Mendes created an extensive and organised network, allowing him to provide a comprehensive career management service to his clients. One of the key factors in his success is his ability to identify young talent and guide them into profitable career paths.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Ronaldo’s transfer from Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United in 2003 was one of the most influential deals of Mendes’ career. Ronaldo would go on to Real Madrid and Juventus, with Mendes playing a key role in negotiating every step of his career.
José Mourinho: As one of the most successful managers in football history, Mourinho is a key client of Mendes. Mendes has helped Mourinho secure managerial positions at major clubs such as Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Radamel Falcao: Mendes managed Falcao’s transfers to several major European clubs, including Atletico Madrid, AS Monaco and Chelsea, making him one of the most sought-after strikers in the world at the time.
James Rodríguez: After a stellar performance at the 2014 World Cup, Mendes helped James complete his move from AS Monaco to Real Madrid, which was one of the most talked-about transfers of the time.
Diogo Jota: The Portuguese forward is another example of a talent discovered and nurtured by Mendes, with a career that has included spells at the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool.
In addition to the aforementioned players, Jorge Mendes also represents many other stars such as Ángel Di María, Bernardo Silva and João Cancelo. His success as a football agent lies in his ability to manage players’ careers with a long-term vision, ensuring they find the right club and a lucrative contract. With his strong reputation and extensive network, Mendes continues to be one of the most respected and influential agents in world football.
The beginning of Jorge Mendes’ feud with Real Madrid can be traced back to a series of incidents involving several players and the club’s transfer policy. Here are some reasons why Mendes’ relationship with Real Madrid is strained and why he is considered one of the club’s most disliked agents:
Reasons for the Feud
Player Transfers: Mendes was involved in several major player transfers to Real Madrid, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodríguez, and Ángel Di María. Although these transfers initially went well, some of them ended in tensions over contracts, extensions, or transfers away from the club.
Ángel Di María’s Departure: One of the key moments that soured Mendes’ relationship with Real Madrid was Ángel Di María’s transfer to Manchester United in 2014. Di María claimed that Real Madrid did not give him proper credit for his contributions, and Mendes was involved in arranging the move, which caused friction with the club’s management.
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