Even fans know Jorge Mendes, which isn’t common for agents. Born in 1966 in Lisbon (Portugal) and often referred to as a “super agent”, Mendes built an unrivalled empire. Many recognize him as the most successful agent, but his rise to this elite status has a unique story. So, how did he get here?
Humble Beginnings: From Nightclub Owner to Super Agent
Mendes grew up in a modest household. His father worked for a gas company, while his mother made straw hats and baskets. His interest in business started to develop when young Jorge was selling his mother’s products on the weekend, starting his own business at the age of thirteen.
Like most of the children at the time, Mendes liked playing football. He joined local side Vianense, where he reached the level of semi-professional football. However, he wasn’t particularly talented and soon gave up. Mendes eventually found himself working menial jobs.
Jorge Mendes a été entendu hier par la justice espagnoles, soupçonné d’avoir aidé ses clients à dissimuler plusieurs M€ au fisc. pic.twitter.com/2yuWvR4n6S
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) June 28, 2017
His first important step to becoming a player agent was DJ-ing. Although he didn’t know it at the time, DJ-ing in beach bars allowed him to regularly meet professional footballers from the North of Portugal.
In 1996, everything changed when Mendes, then managing a nightclub, met Nuno Espirito Santo, a young goalkeeper looking for a move higher up. They became close friends and this meant that Espirito Santo chose him as his agent.
When he wanted to make a transfer to Deportivo de la Coruña, Mendes took the task seriously, working hard every day through phone calls. It paid off: Espirito Santo got his much-wanted transfer. Mendes didn’t take any money but earned it through bonuses. This deal marked his first transfer and the beginning of his empire.
The Rise to International Stardom: Breaking into the Big Leagues
Jorge Mendes recognized early on that Portugal was his foundation, leveraging his strong connections with Portuguese clients to build his reputation. In just five years, Mendes ascended to international prominence by orchestrating the transfer of Sporting Lisbon’s Hugo Viana to Newcastle United.
Only a year later, in 2003, Jorge Mendes was the middle man who represented Cristiano Ronaldo, managing Ronaldo’s transfer from Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United.
As Mendes’s career flourished, he continued to represent other notable Portuguese stars such as Ricardo Quaresma, Pepe, and Deco. Mendes expanded his client base to include managers, overseeing José Mourinho’s move to Inter in 2008.
Cristiano Ronaldo and the Landmark Deal of 2009
Before Ronaldo’s move, none of Mendes’ transfers had surpassed the €30 million mark. However, Cristiano Ronaldo’s move from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009 changed everything. Jorge Mendes was once again the middleman in this transaction, which reached £80 million – a true game-changer in the world of football transfers.
Mendes also facilitated the move of three high-profile Portuguese figures to Real Madrid: manager José Mourinho, and players Ricardo Carvalho and Fabio Coentrao. He also started representing non-Portuguese players such as Ángel Di María, who transferred from Manchester United to Real Madrid.
The Premier League Connection and Post-Pandemic Shifts
Famous Mendes clients include Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez, and Diego Costa. The year is 2024, and every player seems to be a client of Jorge Mendes, including young La Masia players, several of whom are still in their teenage years.
Since 2019, Jorge Mendes has increasingly shifted his focus to the Premier League, overseeing the transfers of Bruno Fernandes (to Manchester United), Rubén Días (to Manchester City) and David de Gea (to Manchester United).
Mendes is also known for being heavily involved with Premier League Club Wolverhampton. The club is known for being a “Portuguese colony”, and it’s no surprise that a majority of the players (like João Moutinho) are Mendes clients.
Jorge Mendes à Manchester hier soir. Son équipe et lui ont fait diversion pendant que Manuel Ugarte quittait le restaurant par la porte arrière. [@TheSunFootball] #MUFC pic.twitter.com/v6eShfvXg5
— Manchester United (@MUnitedFR) August 29, 2024
The COVID-19 pandemic also explains why Mendes started representing more clients in the Premier League. Financial restrictions were harsh in France but especially in Spain.
As Jorge Mendes had built great relationships with Valencia and Barcelona, he saw a few of his deals rejected due to the lack of financial options for Spanish clubs. It pushed the Portuguese super-agent to arrange deals in the Premier League, where higher broadcasting revenue allowed clubs to complete deals despite the lack of matches during 2020.
GestiFute and Controversies: Questions Around Ethics
Although all of the above paints a positive image of Mendes, his company has been the victim of criticism when it comes to the ethics of Mendes’ practices.
GestiFute, his player agency, has been criticised for potentially using loopholes in FIFA’s legislation when it comes to practices of third parties in transfers. In some cases, Mendes’ dual role as owner and agent of GestiFute has raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest. However, his environment as well as his clients (including CR7) have repeatedly described Mendes as someone professional, honest, and sincere.
Due to the close relationships Mendes has with many clubs, he also saved the careers of many of his clients by sending them to clubs with which he had strong bonds.
Mino Raiola was the only agent who enjoyed a similar fame. Still, he wasn’t able to reach the same heights as Mendes. He’s one of a kind, and his impact on football is here to stay. From his modest beginnings, Mendes now owns a yacht and is among the wealthiest agents in the sport.
Despite being a star, Mendes rarely talks to the media. He has never explained in detail how his negotiation strategy works, even telling The Athletic that he “is too busy” for interviews.
While GestiFute and Jorge Mendes face ongoing scrutiny regarding ethical practices, his ability to maintain strong relationships, represent elite players effectively, and navigate the complexities of international transfers makes him one of the most influential agents in football today.
