Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to end his working relationship with agent Jorge Mendes – who has represented him throughout his career.
The 56-year-old super agent has represented Ronaldo ever since he left Sporting Lisbon to join Manchester United in 2003. However, the relationship between the two is said to have deteriorated and the two are now set to officially part ways.
Ronaldo completed a stunning move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr on Friday and is expected to earn in the region of £173million per year. The deal comes after Ronaldo ended his relationship with United by mutual consent in November following a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan.
With no other offers on the table, Ronaldo made the switch to the Middle East club and is now set to link up with his new teammates after his presentation with the club on Tuesday. At his unveiling press conference, the player confirmed his journey in European club football was now over.
The move to Al-Nassr and the events that led up to the transfer are believed to have seen a breakdown in the relationship between Ronaldo and Mendes, whose Gestifute agency had represented the superstar for just shy of two decades.
It is believed that Ronaldo’s interview with Morgan – which led to the 37-year-old mutually ending his stay with United and foregoing the remaining £16million of his salary through until June – was not sanctioned or approved by Mendes. The two are said to have grown increasingly distant.
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It is reported by Sport Italia that there has been ‘high tension’ between the two Portuguese, which has come to a head in recent weeks with Mendes said to have increasingly diminishing status in Ronaldo’s affairs and decision-making. The report adds that the two are now set to terminate their relationship.
Last week, Ronaldo’s blockbuster £173 million-per-year contract with Al-Nassr was confirmed. "I am fortunate that I have won everything I set out to win in European football," he explained following the move. "I feel now that this is the right moment to share my experience in Asia."
He added: "Al-Nassr's vision is very inspiring and impressive. I look forward to a different league experience in a different country. I am excited to join my team-mates as soon as possible."
Reports from Portugal claim Mendes will not be financially rewarded for Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr. Ronaldo has been criticised in some quarters for choosing to end his career in Saudi Arabia. Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher compared him negatively with Messi, following the Argentine's World Cup win.
"In some ways it's a sad end for him," Carragher told Sky Sports. "Two of the greatest players in Messi and Ronaldo - Ronaldo has finished his career doing an interview with Piers Morgan and Messi has won the World Cup. It's not the best way to go out."
