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Featured Image Credit: Alamy & Cristiano Ronaldo
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Jorge Mendes, Portugal, Saudi Arabia
Josh Lawless
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Jorge Mendes, Portugal, Saudi Arabia
Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer being represented by super agent Jorge Mendes and his record-breaking Saudi Arabia transfer was handled by his "personal manager", reports in Portugal say.
Mendes, one of the most powerful and successful agents in the world, has been by Ronaldo's side for nearly two decades now and helped engineer a slew of lucrative transfers for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
But in recent times it's been claimed that "tension has rocketed" between the Gestifute head honcho and Ronaldo, with their relationship becoming strained and "deteriorating".
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It was said that friction caused Ronaldo to listen to people outside of his usual circle in regards to his next move when his Manchester United contract was terminated.
And now A Bola have followed up on the story by stating that Mendes was not involved in negotiations for Ronaldo's lucrative move to Al Nassr.
Instead, proceedings were handled by Ricardo Regufe, who is now effectively serving as his right-hand man.
Ronaldo first met Regufe when he signed his first contract with Nike back in 2003 as he worked as a marketing executive for the brand in Portugal.
He spotted a promising talent playing for Sporting CP and encouraged him to sign a boot deal with Nike which changed the game.
The forged a close friendship, with Regufe becoming a confidant, advisor and a key part of Ronaldo's team for many years.
While Mendes handling his football operations, Regufe took charge of any commercial and endorsement opportunities and helped turn Ronaldo into a marketing phenomenon.
It seems as though Refuge is taking on more responsibility but is line to receive a whopping £26 million in commission from his latest transfer.
Ronaldo, who will earn a whopping £173 million per season and serve as an ambassador for Saudi Arabia's 2030 World Cup bid, was officially unveiled as Al Nassr player on Tuesday after signing a two-and-a-half-year deal.
He successfully underwent a medical and could make his debut against Al Ta'ee on Thursday.