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.
Cristiano Ronaldo has completed his move to Al-Nassr ( Image: Getty Images)
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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."
Ronaldo spent time celebrating specifically with Regufe after Portugal won Euro 2016 in Paris ( Image: Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
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."
yzkhid
192
why are some stupid media criticizing cr7 for his move to Al nassr saying he did not end his career well .. please I want to ask you to tell me any player now and before who is going to receive this kind of salary that Al nassr paid to cr7 at the age of of almost 38 ..so my point is 👉 he ended his career on a high note thanks
D10S_LM10
180
Piers Morgan to be his next agent 😂
Sssmansy
120
A real footballer fan will not past without typing GOOD LUCk cr7
eggosa91
99
roñaldo on different jersey but still the same ronaldo #goatness
jesalam14
81
🏴 𝐑𝐢𝐨 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐨'𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐥 𝐍𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫: "The media is disgusting. When Rooney, Beckham, Lampard and Gerrard went to America, they used to say that it was a great way to end their career, What a way to finish their careers, getting great money, going to a league that's not as competitive, let them go, they've deserved that, they've earned the right. That’s all I saw in the media. But when Cristiano Ronaldo decided to do this, it became a shame and a disaster only because he went to Saudi Arabia." "I'm pleased for him that he's finally happy. For any footballer, whatever level you're playing in, happiness and being happy in the environment you're playing in is one of the most important things. He hasn't been happy for a while, so I'm pleased he's on the verge of finding that happiness, even tough in a country that not many people expected him to go to. But what a prospect that is, what an adventure that is for him to go to Saudi and play in a new league, a competitive league over there by the way." "I've looked at people commenting and a few pundits saying it's a sad way for him to go out. The only sadness is the way it ended at Manchester United. I think in a couple of years he'll look back and think it could have been handled differently. But this next chapter, going to Saudi, how is that a sad way to end his career? I don't understand how people are saying that." "Let a man go and live, and enjoy it. It's a new adventure, he's taking his family to experience a new culture. Every other player that's gone to a less competitive league to end their career has been told you've earned the right. No man on the planet would have earned the right more than this guy."