Jorge Mendes
Era-Defining Dealmaker
Portugal €1.62bn
Key Facts
Also known as: Jorge Paulo Agostinho Mendes
Date of birth: 7 January 1966 (Lisbon, Portugal)
FIFA Agent Licence: FIFA-licensed; FPF-registered
Other registrations: FA Registered Football Agent — FARA0461
Primary agency / company: Gestifute (Founder, 1996) • Polaris Sports (commercial)
Job Title: Football Intermediary / Player Agent
Client capacity: Large multi-team agency (≈150+ players) — Total market value: €1.61–€1.62bn
Languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish
Base Locations: Porto & Lisbon (Portugal); activity across EU, UK, Middle East, South America
Specialisms: Elite transfers, clause engineering, managers & players, multi-club strategy
Email: gestifute@gestifute.com • Phone: +351 22 608 4455
Website / Socials: Website: gestifute.com • Instagram: instagram.com/gestifute • X: x.com/gestifute • Facebook: facebook.com/61561664891603
About Jorge Mendes
Nightclub owner turned super-agent, Jorge Mendes founded Gestifute in 1996 and quickly built a pipeline of Portuguese talent to Europe’s elite. His first deal came when he met goalkeeper Nuno Espírito Santo in a bar and brokered his Vitória Guimarães → Deportivo La Coruña move (1996).
Early international breakthroughs included Hugo Viana to Newcastle United (2002), followed by landmark Manchester United arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo (2003), Nani and Anderson (both 2007). Today he manages stars and coaches, complemented by commercial arm Polaris Sports.
Career Snapshot
Origin story: Hospitality/entertainment entrepreneur; formalised as agent in 1996; intensive scouting at youth levels across Portugal (e.g., Ronaldo/Quaresma).
Milestones (selection):
1996: First deal — Nuno Espírito Santo to Deportivo La Coruña.
2002: Hugo Viana to Newcastle United (~€12m).
2003–2007: Ronaldo to Man United (£12.24m); Nani & Anderson to Man United (~£46m); Pepe to Real Madrid; Simão to Atlético.
2004–2010 (Managers): José Mourinho to Chelsea, then Inter, then Real Madrid (four-year, ~£40m).
2011: Radamel Falcao Porto → Atlético Madrid (€40m; agent fees disclosed).
2014: Ángel Di María Real Madrid → Manchester United (~£60m).
2017: Bernardo Silva Monaco → Manchester City (~£43–60m reported).
2019: João Félix Benfica → Atlético Madrid (€126m; seven-year deal).
2020: Rúben Dias Benfica → Manchester City (€68m + add-ons).
Network strengths: Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A and Primeira Liga corridors; deep club relationships in Iberia and England.
Support Team / Partners
Gestifute (career management; Porto/Lisbon)
Polaris Sports (commercial/image rights; long-time partnership with CAA)
External legal & fiscal counsel (Portugal, UK, Spain)
Senior execs (e.g., Luís Correia, MD/Head of Football)
Client Roster
(Current team in brackets; selection — players and coaches.)
Top players and talents (current)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) — Forward — Portugal — 05/02/1985
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) — Midfielder — Portugal — 10/08/1994
Rúben Dias (Manchester City) — Centre-Back — Portugal — 14/05/1997
Ederson (Manchester City) — Goalkeeper — Brazil — 17/08/1993
João Félix (Chelsea / recent moves) — Forward — Portugal — 10/11/1999
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) — Winger — Spain — 13/07/2007
Coaches/Staff (selection)
José Mourinho — Head Coach
Notable former clients (selection)
Ángel Di María, Radamel Falcao, among others (historic deals)
Notable Deals Led by Jorge Mendes
2003 — Cristiano Ronaldo: Sporting CP → Manchester United, £12.24m
2011 — Radamel Falcao: Porto → Atlético Madrid, €40m
2014 — Ángel Di María: Real Madrid → Manchester United, ~£60m
2017 — Bernardo Silva: Monaco → Manchester City, £43–60m (reported range)
2019 — João Félix: Benfica → Atlético Madrid, €126m (seven-year deal)
2020 — Rúben Dias: Benfica → Manchester City, €68m + up to €3.6m add-ons
Track Record (last 3 seasons)
Total transfers completed: High volume via Gestifute stable (≈150+ player roster)
Deals ≥ €10m: Dozens across windows
Clients in top-5 leagues: 80+ currently in first tiers
National team clients: Multiple across Portugal, Spain, Brazil and more
Aggregate client market value: €1.61–€1.62bn
Compliance & Accreditation
FIFA-licensed; FPF-registered
FA Registered Football Agent — FARA0461
Legal/tax note (2025): Denied wrongdoing; paid €18m to Portuguese authorities to end a case (personal/financial)
Press, Awards & Recognition
Globe Soccer “Best Agent” — multiple wins (record-setting run)
Sir Alex Ferguson: “Jorge Mendes is the best agent I dealt with, without a doubt… very fair with clubs.”
José Mourinho (2010): “There is only one person who can win Best Agent of the Year and it’s Jorge Mendes.”
Numerous long-form profiles outlining his market influence and network effects
