Cristiano Ronaldo and his long-standing agent Jorge Mendes could be set to part company, while Chelsea are still looking to splash some serious cash on a Ukraine international coveted by Arsenal ESPN’s Insider Notebook has the latest.
Ronaldo’s relationship with agent under strain
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Mendes have have one of the most successful player-agent partnerships ever. Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-standing relationship with agent Jorge Mendes is under mounting strain following his move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, sources have told ESPN.
Mendes, whose other clients include Jose Mourinho, Darwin Nunez and Joao Felix, has represented Ronaldo throughout his illustrious career, but the 37-year-old’s frustrations date back to a lack of options when seeking a transfer last summer.
After Manchester United failed to qualify for the Champions League, Mendes met with a series of clubs including Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Sporting CP, but a concrete offer from a top European club failed to materialise. Sources said that Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly was interested in exploring a deal for Ronaldo, but then-head coach Thomas Tuchel repeatedly dismissed the idea.
Although a move to Saudi Arabia was a possibility during the summer transfer window, Ronaldo chose to stay at United in the hope either his fortunes would improve or a positive showing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar would tempt a European club into making an offer to sign him. However, Ronaldo found himself marginalised by United boss Erik ten Hag and his contract was eventually terminated by mutual consent in November after his explosive interview with Piers Morgan, before he was benched by Portugal boss Fernando Santos for both their knockout matches at the World Cup.
Despite Ronaldo becoming a free agent, Mendes was once again unable to generate any concrete interest from a side capable of giving the forward a chance to win a sixth Ballon d’Or award or sixth Champions League trophy.
Sources said that Ronaldo’s personal manager of almost 20 years, Ricardo Regufe, was heavily involved in the negotiations to sign for Al Nassr. One source suggested that there was no agent officially involved in the deal with Al Nassr, tallying with speculation that the relationship between Ronaldo and Mendes could soon come to an end.
Sources have not been able to corroborate speculation of a formal split, and Mendes’ agency, Gestifute, did not respond to a request for comment when contacted by ESPN. — James Olley.
WILL SAUDI ARABIA BEND THE RULES FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO?
Laws in Saudi Arabia are different and can be much stricter than those in Europe, especially when it comes to unmarried couples cohabiting.
FILE: Cristiano Ronaldo joins Al-Nassr FC of Saudi Arabia. Picture: Twitter/@AlNassrFC_EN
JOHANNESBURG – Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is joining Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr FC and is said to be moving his family, including long-time girlfriend Spanish supermodel and social media influencer Georgina Rodríguez.
The question on social media and probably on everyone’s mind is whether Rodríguez will be living with Ronaldo.
One wonders whether the kingdom will turn a blind eye to Ronaldo’s living arrangements and overlook the “prohibit cohabitation without a marriage contract” laws.
Laws in Saudi Arabia are different and can be much stricter than those in Europe, especially when it comes to criminal justice, human rights, women’s rights, LGBT rights, and religious freedom.
Women are also expected to dress conservatively and cover their shoulders and knees in public.
Saudi Arabia is known for its strict laws and cultural customs, and one of them forbids unmarried individuals from living with each other. But history could change for Cristiano Ronaldo.
“ If Saudi government bending their marriage laws to allow Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez cohabit doesn’t convince your that religion is only strict for the poor, nothing will (sic),” said one Twitter user.
The oil-rich kingdom is said to be considering a bid to host world football’s 2030 showpiece tournament, and Ronaldo’s ambassadorial role will bring his reported earnings in the country to over 400 million euros ($428 million).
The arrival of the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player came just weeks after neighbouring Qatar became the first Arab nation to host the World Cup.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has also won the Champions League five times, and holds that tournament’s goal-scoring record, signed with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr following his exit from Premier League club Manchester United prior to the World Cup.
Source: espn.co.uk; ewn.co.za
