'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Most ardent football fans recognize the name Jorge Mendes as one of the ultimate super-agents in the sport, and that of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Having earth-shattering talent is not the only prerequisite for being a sought-after football star. You also need an adept strategist in your corner — someone who can give you more than what you deserve and nudge you in the right direction.
Jorge Mendes, who happens to be the agent of Champions League’s record goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo, is one of the best agents the world of football has ever seen. Mendes began by monitoring youth football in Portugal, which led him to discover Cristiano Ronaldo at a young age. Notably, Mendes was the one who brokered Cristiano Ronaldo's move from Sporting to Manchester United in 2003. He is known to have a very close bond with Cristiano Ronaldo, but he is also the agent to several other notable players.
Trending
Although Cristiano Ronaldo was Jorge Mendes's most valuable client for quite a while, the agent now manages a few players who are currently more valuable than Cristiano Ronaldo.
And today, it is about taking a look at his most prized possessions. Now, without further ado, let us check out the list of
5 Jorge Mendes clients who are currently valued higher than Cristiano Ronaldo’s €45 million valuation
#5 Ederson - €50 million
Manchester City shot-stopper Ederson is one of the hottest names in the business. As a result, it is no surprise to see him on this list of Jorge Mendes’s high-profile assets.
The Brazilian keeper started his senior career at Riberao and even plied his trade at Rio Ave. However, it was in Benfica where he started to show his true colors. After impressing for the B team, Ederson got the opportunity to start for the first-team, and he quickly became their undisputed first-choice for the next two years.
In 2017, thanks to Jorge Mendes’s fine work, Ederson found himself on the Manchester City payroll, sealing a €41 million-deal from Benfica. The keeper, who is currently valued at €50 million, has made close to 200 appearances for the reigning Premier League champions under Pep Guardiola.
#4 Joao Cancelo - €55 million
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has always been adamant about getting his mitts on the most promising defender, and seeing Joao Cancelo’s valuation skyrocket is hardly a surprise.
Just like Ederson, Cancelo was a part of Portugal’s legendary club Benfica — specifically the B Team. The full-back failed to earn himself a call up to the senior side and was sent to La Liga side Valencia on loan. After showing promise in 10 brief La Liga appearances, Valencia contacted Jorge Mendes to make the move permanent in 2015.
In the 2017-18 season, he spent a season on loan at Inter Milan, where he caught the attention of Inter’s leave rivals Juventus. Jorge Mendes finalized the move instantly and helped the defender join the Bianconeri the following season. Finally, after a successful season with Juventus, the Portuguese landed in Manchester and signed for the Sky Blues for €32.3 million with Danilo going the other way. Jorge Mendes's client has made 77 appearances for City so far, netting four goals.
#3 Fabinho - €60 million
Liverpool midfielder Fabinho has been instrumental in Liverpool’s exploits under Jurgen Klopp so far and is valued considerably higher than Champions League record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo.
After rising through the ranks of Brazilian side Fluminense, Fabinho could only earn a single call up to the senior side. Unfortunately, he ended the match as an unused substitute. In the same year - 2012 - he joined Primeira Liga side Rio Ave on a six-year deal, only to be loaned out to Real Madrid’s B team, Castilla. Not only did he play for the B team, but he also managed to make an appearance for the senior side. Sadly, Los Blancos were not interested in signing him permanently.
French side AS Monaco signed him on loan in 2013, and gave him a permanent contract in 2015. The next season, in 2016-17, he helped them beat juggernauts Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1 title race. After spending one more season at the club, Jorge Mendes helped him relocate to Liverpool. So far, he has made 122 appearances for the club, winning the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League and the 2019/20 Premier League.
#2 Bernardo Silva - €70 million
In a team studded with some of the finest players the world of football has ever seen, Bernardo Silva has successfully managed to find his footing. Because of his unmatched talent on the ball and exemplary resilience, Silva is Jorge Mendes’s second-most valuable asset, currently valued at an eye-popping 70 million euros.
Like all the Portugal internationals on our list today, Silva also plied his trade at Benfica. However, it was at AS Monaco where the Jorge Mendes signing came to life. After spending the 2014-15 league season on loan at Monaco, he signed a permanent contract with the French side. Alongside Kylian Mbappe, Fabinho, and an insanely-talented group of rebels, Silva helped AS Monaco to the Ligue 1 title in 2016-17, beating PSG to the punch.
Just after the conclusion of the season, Manchester City came calling, and the midfielder obliged. Jorge Mendes arranged for a five-year contract, sealing the deal for a reported fee of around €50 million. The midfield maestro has played 202 games for City so far, winning 3 Premier Leagues trophies, 4 EFL Cups and an FA Cup.
#1 Ruben Dias - €75 million
At only 24, Ruben Dias is the youngest member of Jorge Mendes’s list of elites, and is also his most sought-after client — currently valued at a whopping 75 million euros.
Hailing from Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo’s national teammate rose through Benfica’s famed youth system and made his senior team debut in 2015. Following a couple of impressive seasons for the B team, he deservedly got the chance to play for the first team. Between 2017 and 2020, the centre-back lined up 137 times for Benfica, netting 12 goals and helping the club to the Primeira Liga in the 2018-19 season.
Jorge Mendes helped Dias book a trip to Manchester City in 2020, signing a six-year deal worth €56.6 million and City stalwart Nicolas Otamendi moving to Benfica. In his debut season, he was deemed Premier League’s Player of the Year, which goes on to show the potential the young defender carries.
