Jorge Mendes makes admission on Cristiano Ronaldo relationship after Manchester United exit tension
Former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo split with his agent Jorge Mendes after the controversial Piers Morgan interview
Cristiano Ronaldo's former agent Jorge Mendes has insisted the relationship between the pair is still good despite their professional separation last year.
It is understood cracks began to show in their relationship when Mendes was unable to secure Ronaldo a move to either Bayern Munich or Chelsea last summer. Reports claimed their partnership was in tatters after the 38-year-old agreed to do his controversial interview with Piers Morgan.
The agent was believed to have been against the decision but Ronaldo pressed ahead anyway. Ultimately, the interview had the desired effect as the Portuguese great came to an agreement to leave United.
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Ronaldo and Mendes were not working together by the time the forward agreed a move to Al Nassr in December. While plenty of tension occurred during the last six months of their relationship, Mendes has played down rumours of a feud between the pair.
As reported by the Daily Mirror, Mendes said: "How do I see this phase of his life? Cristiano will always be in my heart.
"He is a special player and a special person for me. If I, a few years ago, thought that I could have a player with half the value of Cristiano, I would sign for less.
"And all of us Portuguese should be proud to have had and still have a player like him. I've always said it and I'll say it all my life: He was and is the best player in the entire history of world football. I don't have the slightest doubt, even compared to others."
"He's an example for young people and he's done everything a great professional would have to do... because he's the best of them all," Mendes added. "But it is also true that he was a virtuous player when he was young: you were talking about Ronaldinho Gaucho and Messi, but when he was young, Cristiano was also virtuous.
"And strong in the 'one on one', and explosive. Cristiano has turned into a machine. Many people never really thought about that growth process that led him, in fact, to be the best in history. And for me, he will always be the best in history."
Ronaldo returned to goalscoring form in Saudi Arabia with 14 goals in 16 Pro League appearances. But his season would end on a low note as Al Nassr failed to win any silverware.
A Manchester Evening News special souvenir edition - Fergie's First - charts United's 1992/93 title-winning campaign and you can get your hands on one here
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