Earlier this summer, the back pages were clogged up with news surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and his future at Real Madrid.
It seemed impossible that the four-time Ballon d'Or winner would leave the club after leading them to three Champions League triumphs in four years.
Not to mention, finally winning another La Liga title, five years after their last.But after Spanish authorities accused the Portuguese legend of evading around £14 million worth of tax in image rights, Ronaldo was left furious and reportedly decided he did not want to play in Spain any longer.
A romantic return to Manchester United was all of a sudden on the cards and it seemed as only the Red Devils and French giants Paris Saint-Germain would be able to plausibly afford the superstar.After 406 goals
in 394 games for Los Blancos, Ronaldo has become a bona fide legend at one of the greatest clubs in the world. However, The Mirror have pointed out another reason why he may have been looking to leave the Bernabeu this summer.
It's worth pointing out at this time that talk of the 32-year-old departing has cooled down and while he is still upset with the allegations, he looks set to stay in Madrid.
But, there is still an undeniable trend occurring.
Super agent Jorge Mendes had six clients at Real Madrid not too long ago and had as many as four last season. Now, he only has one in Ronaldo.
Pepe has moved on to Besiktas. James Rodriguez has just joined Bayern Munich on a two-year loan. Fabio Coentrao has returned to Portugal with Sporting Lisbon. Angel Di Maria now plays for PSG and Ricardo Carvalho, now 39, is playing out his career in China.
There is speculation that Madrid want to rid their hands of Mendes and his lucrative deals and Ronaldo would be the last part of him to goThe problem with that notion is the fact that Madrid and their president, Florentino Perez, are desperate for Ronaldo to stay.
It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say Mendes' relationship with the club is strained, but with a player of Ronaldo's class and stature under his banner, it looks like Real will have to deal with him a little longer.
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