JOrje Mendes, who has been with Cristiano Ronaldo since he started playing soccer, gave an interview to Portuguese media outlet A Bola and touched on the current state of the sport after one of his current clients, Lamine Yamal, was injured in the game against Celta.
Mendes clearly and frankly told the Barcelona striker that the player’s lifestyle off the pitch determines the development of his sporting career. “I usually talk to players and ask them, “Do you want to be like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi off the field, or do you want to be…?” I won’t give names, but that’s the difference,” commented the popular agent.
Ramin Yamal shows leadership beyond his years after painful departure
The Portuguese player mentioned two world soccer stars to help organize his personal life off the football field.
“I consider myself blessed. Cristiano is not only the best player in the history of world football, but also the best role model off the field. This is the model we should pass on to our children,” Mendes said.
Although he did not give his name, the football agent gave advice that Lamine Yamal understands to be useful. “Manage your assets, buy a house, help your family,” Mendez said, encouraging everyone to work on solid, long-term projects and focus on their own lives before joining gastronomic projects or commercial ventures that will make them known in the consumer world.
The Portuguese commented that the key is to take advantage of opportunities, and for this it is important to know how to handle talent mentally and discipline with the right judgment, which will determine the success of a long-term career. “Many players get lost because they don’t understand the right situation. They go a year or two without playing and look like they’re not good, but the problem isn’t talent, it’s opportunity,” he said.
