Jorge Mendes' book 'The Key to Mendes' and 7 surprising revelations in it

Ronaldo with Jorge Mendes at the book launch×Proofread Football super agent Jorge Mendes is widely regarded as the most powerful man in world football as he has conducted several big money deals in the past. Jorge Mendes company GestiFute has 58 clients which include Jose Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez, Angel Di Maria, Victor Valdes, Radamel Falcao, Diego Costa, David De Gea, Pepe, Joao Moutinho and Luiz Felipe Scolari. According to reports, Mendes has conducted deal worth £1,068,370,548 till now.The Portuguese agent recently released his book “The Key to Mendes” in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez were present at the book launch event. We take a look at 7 surprising revelations in it.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo nearly signed for Atletico Madrid?

Rojiblancos fans very well remember losing out Raul to their city rivals Real Madrid as a youngster. Raul went on to become Real Madrid's all time top scorer, but little they know about the fact that Atletico Madrid president Jesús Gil was tricked into thinking by an intermediary they have signed 16-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma. Atletico Madrid were not the only team that missed out on Cristiano Ronaldo, Jorge Mendes also revealed why Arsenal failed to signed the Real Madrid as a youngster.

Jorge Mendes: “There was a moment in which I really thought he was going to Arsenal.

“David Dein is a spectacular person but, with the construction of their stadium, they were left with very little money and it wasn’t possible.”

#2 On Mourinho signing a deal with Real Madrid right after winning the Champions League

Real Madrid officials approached Jose Mourinho, a night before the Champions League final in 2010 between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich at the Bernabéu. Mourinho didn't like the unwanted distraction on the eve of the biggest game of his career.

“Listen, get away from here! Let me play the Champions League final! My word is my word!” barked Mourinho. “I signed it the same night as the game, just after winning the Champions League.”

#3 On Diego Costa move to Atletico Madrid

Premier League top scorer Diego Costa started his career at Portuguese side Braga, before moving to Atletico Madrid a year later in 2007. The Spanish international recalls he was made aware of the deal only few hours before signing for them.

"Jorge told me I had to get a flight to Madrid, I knew nothing of what was going on and when we arrived he told me I was signing for Atlético Madrid,” he remembers. “We were in the house of Atlético sporting director Jesús García Pitcarch, and I didn’t even know who he was.”

#4 Mendes met an accident before meeting Alex Ferguson in 2002

In 2002, Jorge Mendes was on his way to meet Alex Ferguson to discuss the signing of Spanish goalkeeper Ricardo Lopez. On his way to the airport, Jorge Mendes knocked his Porsche into a lorry and damaged his left ear, but that didn't stop him from meeting Alex Ferguson. The Portuguese agent ignored medical attention and flew to Manchester. Mendes described the meeting as the the "opportunity of his life”.

Alex Ferguson has also earlier revealed Jorge Mendes is the best agent he has worked with.

“Jorge Mendes is the best agent I dealt with, without a doubt. He was responsible, looked after his players… and was very fair with clubs.”

#5 Anderson still thinks he can save his Manchester United career

Probably Alex Ferguson biggest transfer failure was signing Anderson for £26 million from Porto in 2007. The Brazilian has made just 70 appearances and scored five goals for the Old Trafford side in eight years.

Anderson : “The first four years were fantastic and then an injury set me back, I was very sad and it was difficult for me to recover.

“This year I’m working really hard to try and regain the confidence of the coaches, because I have a lot of love for this club. I really like Manchester, I’ve spent a long time here and the fans have a lot of affection for me.”

#6 Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his dream move alone

Ronaldo made headlines for his on stage celebration after winning the Ballon D'Or recently, but the former Manchester United star had to celebrate alone his move to Old Trafford in 2003. In the book, Ronaldo labelled his move to Old Trafford as a "dream" and asked his agent Jorge Mendes to celebrate with him, but Mendes was busy with other deals and had to leave Ronaldo to celebrate alone.

“I said ‘Jorge, let’s go out and celebrate!

"I don’t know what happened. Jorge was already working on something else, and he said he had to leave, Jorge was already negotiating other things. I had to celebrate alone.”

#7 Fabio Coentrao would be a sailor?

Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao revealed in Mendes book that he would be a sailor, if it wasn't for Jorge Mendes. Back in the days, Coentrao was playing for Rio Ave in Portugal’s second tier when he met Jorge Mendes. The Portuguese agent made him believe in his talent.

“I know that I am where I am today because of Jorge,” says the Real Madrid man. “Without him right now I wouldn’t be a footballer, I’d be working in the sea.”