At a time when several reports speculating about the future of super-star Cristiano Ronaldo are doing the rounds, most of them hinting at his departure from Real Madrid, his agent Jorge Mendes has claimed that the Portuguese international intends to retire at the Santiago Bernebeu.
Ronaldo has been heavily linked to clubs like Paris Saint-Germain. A sensational return to his former club Manchester United has also been contemplated by the media. Quite contrary to prevailing views about Ronaldo, Mendes is of the opinion that Ronaldo is happy at Madrid and wishes to hang up his boots there.
Jorge Mendes believes that Ronaldo will play for 10 more years at Madrid until he is 40 years of age and only then will he bid adieu to the world of professional football. Mendes told Sky Sports,
“He is the best player of all time and I am sure he will play for the next four, five, six, seven years at Real Madrid.”
“He will end his career there. He is happy at Los Blancos, he'll hang up his boots when he is 40.”
The 30 year old winger has been booed by the Madrid fans in the recent past and there have been reports about his falling out with the present head-coach Rafa Benitez. If the reports are right then it is indeed difficult for a player to sustain himself in such an adverse atmosphere like the one presently at Madrid.
Mendes on Mourinho
Jorge Mendes was also questioned on Jose Mourinho who happens to be another one of his troubled clients. Mourinho was recently sacked as the Chelsea manager for the second time in his career. Multiple reports suggest that he can be the successor to Louis van Gaal if the Dutchman faces the axe at United. Reports also suggest that Real Madrid are thinking of bringing back Mourinho.
Jorge Mendes refused to comment on the future of Mourinho. He holds Mourinho in high esteem and said that his future is not something to think about at the present moment. He said,
“Right now, he [Mourinho] is in Brazil. We will see what happens when he gets back.”
“At the moment, we have not been talking about England, Spain or Italy. He only needs to be calm and not worry about anything - he is the best manager in the world.”
