Jorge Mendes has worked with some of football’s biggest stars, but when it comes to guiding young players, his message is surprisingly simple.
The super-agent does not just focus on talent or contracts. Instead, he looks at something far more telling when speaking to the next generation.
And it all comes down to one question involving Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi .
Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP via Getty Images
Explaining his approach to A Bola , Mendes revealed the question he regularly puts to rising stars.
“Normally, I talk to my players and say to them: ‘Do you want to be like Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi off the field too, or do you want to be…?’ I won’t name names, but that’s the difference,” Mendes said.
He added, “I consider myself very privileged. Cristiano is the best player in the history of world football and, at the same time, the best example off the field. This is the model we should transmit to children.”
The emphasis is clear. For Mendes, greatness is not just about what happens during matches. It is about discipline, habits and professionalism away from the spotlight.
By bringing up Ronaldo and Messi, he is not just referencing talent. He is challenging players to think about the lifestyle and mindset required to reach that level.
Mendes also pointed out that even the most talented players can fail if they are placed in the wrong environment early in their careers.
“Many times we don’t choose the biggest club, but the place where they would play and grow, Going to a lower division can be better if you get minutes. Without opportunities, talent is useless,” he continued.
“Many players get lost because they don’t have the right context. They go a year or two without playing and it seems like they’re not good, but the problem isn’t talent, it’s opportunity,” the super-agent finished.
It is a perspective shaped by years of managing elite careers. Mendes has seen firsthand how quickly development can stall when players chase status over minutes.
His message ties back to the earlier point. Being like Ronaldo or Messi is not just about ability; it is about making the right decisions consistently.
For young players, that might mean stepping away from the biggest clubs in the short term to build something sustainable in the long run.
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