" Hello Alexzandro. I am Jorge Mendes, a football agent. I would like to represent you. Would you be able to meet to discuss my proposition face to face?"
Two days later, I was sitting in a cafe with Jorge in frontkf me. Sipping the cup of coffee he started talking
" As I said to you over the phone, I would like to represent you in the future. As a young talent, being without an agent will be something that the clubs will exploit to the fullest. I doubt afer seeing you in the recent games Barcelona will be confident to keep you with your current wages and contract by the end of the winter transfer."
"I understand that. But the thing that I don't get is this. Why would you, a glorified and well, one of the best agents in the world. Why would you want to be the agent of a new upstart. "
" It's not about new or old. When I see a talent I make a move before the others does.I don't need to observe you anymore to understand your potential. You have a command in the field that is rarely seen in many players. And the best thing about it. You know that. Every touch , every pass is inch perfected and precise. You can fool regular people. But the ones who know the game, the ones who make a living out of it, you cannot bluff them. I know enough to understand that you will be one of the greats one day. So here I am , in a cafe in barcelona, to be your agent. "
" I see. So you want to be my agent because of my talent and because you think one day I will be a world class player. "
" I am a businessman. I see profit, I want a part of it. You are going to be a brand. That means a lot of money. And I want a part of it. Any other agent would charge 20 percent of what you earn as commission. I will take only 10 percent. Any bonous you earn is yours to keep. "
" That's quite the generous offer. Do you have a contract of that with you?"
" I do. Here it is. "
Taking the paper from him I read all of it very carefully. Seeing that everything written there was all that Jorge had discussed with me I was satisfied.
" Looks good. I am happy to sign you as my agent. But I do have a condition. "
" Yes tell me."
" I want full freedom to choose which clubs I select to represent in the future. Also I would like to choose any endorsement or brand promotion that I will be able to do in the future. I don't want to be forced into doing something that is not my style. "
" That's not a problem. You will have full freedom for those actions. And as far as clubs go, I will only suggest you clubs that will be good for you. Whether you choose to go there or not is completely upto you. But tell me, how long do you plan to stay in Barcelona?"
" Well I have never thought about that. My career has just begun. And with Suarez injured it has given me the best stage to prove myself in the biggest leagues of the world. To play alongside Messi, Iniesta, Pique, Busquets, I would be a fool to leave all that and go."
" And do keep in mind you are just 16. Even if you spend a decade here, you will be 26 when you leave. Still in your prime and ready dominate. Well that's for another day. I will let your club know that I am now your agent and future contracts will be overlooked by me. I will do my best to provide you will the best deals. "
" Thank you. Happy to have you onboard."
Three days later
The news of Jorge Mendes signing with Alexzandro became a big buzz. The .edia was all over the news with headlines like
"Mendes Magic Strikes Again: Barça Star on Route to Madrid?"
"From Camp Nou to Bernabéu? Mendes Plots Blockbuster Switch!"
"Ronaldo's Agent Eyes Next Galáctico – Barça Wonder Joins Mendes"
"Mendes Moves: Barcelona Sensation Signs, Madrid Beckons"
"Déjà Vu? Mendes Snatches Barça Gem, Madrid Whispers Grow"
"Super Agent Mendes Reignites El Clásico Drama with Star Swoop"
"From Messi to Madrid? Mendes' Latest Move Stuns Barça Fans"
"Jorge Mendes' Masterplan: Another Star Follows Ronaldo's Path?"
"Red & Blue Today, White Tomorrow? Mendes Fuels Transfer Fire"
"Camp Nou Shock: Mendes Signs Star Amid Madrid Rumors"
Barcelona fans and Real Madrid fans went on war through tweets and comments.
Barcelona fans flooded Twitter ,accusing Mendes of betrayal, claiming he's planting the seeds of another Figo-style defection.
"First Figo, now THIS? Mendes is a virus in our locker room."
"He's trying to make Barça a talent farm for Madrid. Laporta, wake up!"
Real Madrid fans, meanwhile, couldn't hide their excitement.
"Another Ronaldo loading… Mendes always brings legends home."
"He knows greatness belongs in white."
Barça forums debated whether the club should immediately sell the player before the situation spiraled. Others argued he should never have been allowed to sign with Mendes at all.
Madridistas dissected his playing style, already imagining him as Ronaldos' perfect partner. Some even Photoshopped him in the iconic white jersey—with Ronaldo in the background, smirking.
The Spanish Media furled the fire daily headlines:
"Mendes Meets with Madrid Board—'Just Coffee', or Something More?"
"Barça Star Refuses to Deny Bernabéu Dream"
Meanwhile Alex had no clue of what's going on in the media and online.
In a post match interview after a Laliga game Alex was asked to come to the post match interview by Valverde.
" What's going on? Shouldn't Iniesta be the one doing this?" I asked.
" Well generally he would. But you signing Mendes has sent the people on a frenzy. Crazy theoris and controversies are floating in the air. I need you to come with me to clear the air. "
Confused I went with him to the interview room. After settling in the organiser selected people to ask questions.
The first question was, " Alexzandro. There are rumors that after signing with Mendes you are looking to move to Real Madrid care to comment?"
" Why would I want to go to Real Madrid all of a sudden? I am a Barcelona player and have no plans of moving to Real Madrid. Any talk on this matter apart from me is false. Please don't talk this type of nonsense."
Next question, " If you have the opportunity, would you transfer to Real Madrid?"
" I don't know if you know this or not. I used to be in the Real Madrid academy. When I was injured they kicked me out as they saw no potential in me. So tell me, why would I go to a club that once kicked me out. If you want, record this and print it in the paper tomorrow. I will never, in this life play for Real Madrid. "
Next question," That's big word coming from a player who just started his footballing career. Every player would die to play for Madrid. A team with so much football heritage. And you claim that you will never play for them. Don't you think that it's too much arrogance coming from an upstart?"
" By your choice of words you must be a hardcore madrid fan. Now to reply to you, I am the same upstart that you and your fans want. And for your footballing heritage, by the time I retire, Barcelona will have a better heritage than Real Madrid. No scratch that, Barcelona will be the best club in the world. If you don't believe me, then watch me. Watch us, we will crush you through and through, and you will be left.."
" Okkay I think that we should not let our emotions get the best of us" Valverde intervened." What he is trying to say is that he will not be moving to Madrid and all the speculations are false. That would be all for the evening. Thank you."
Walking back towards the locker room Valverde spoke up, " You should not let your emotions cloud you judgement Alex, you are a good player and everyone agrees. But don't let arrogance blind you. Children look upto you my boy, not many have the talent or opportunity to play for this club at this young age. Being a public figure, don't lash out at anybody who barks ar you. Ignore them. Understood."
Hearing these words I realized that I might have comeoff as rude and impolite. Lokking up I said, " I am sorry coach. This was my forst time being grilled like that and I just lost focous. It won't happen again."
" Good. I hope you understand that I am telling you all this because of your own good. " Valverde added.
Nodding I replied, " I do sir."
The next big thing happes a few days later when Mendes called me
" Alex, I have news. I just got informed that Barcelona are planning to renegotiate your contract. Meet me at Camp Nou Tommorow at around 2 p.m."
Next day around 2 p.m. I found myself sitting in the office.The walls of the room are lined with club trophies and historic memorabilia—Xavi's boots, Messi's debut jersey, faded photographs of Cruyff. A giant crest of FC Barcelona glints from the wall, like a watchful eye.
Sitting beside me was Jorge Mendes, poised in his signature dark suit, not a bead of sweat on his brow. Across the table sits a formidable lineup: President Joan Laporta, dignified and sharp; Head Coach Ernesto Valverde, quiet but calculating; the Sporting Director, flipping through a document packet; and the club's legal counsel, already gripping a Montblanc pen.
A hush settles before Laporta finally speaks.
Laporta begins with a politician's smile,
"Let me begin by saying we are thrilled about Alex. His rise from injury to a first team regular has been spectacular. We're prepared to offer a three-year deal at $150,000 per week. We believe this respects both the club's wage structure and Alex's current impact."
Mendes doesn't respond immediately. He glances at me, then picks up a pen—not to write, but to gently tap the table. The rhythm is calm but deliberate.Then he replies,
"Joan, with all due respect… Alex is not merely a youth product. He's a global narrative waiting to happen. At 16, he's already making headlines. Sponsors are lining up. He's got the skill of Iniesta, the commercial gravity of Neymar, and the footballing IQ of a seasoned pro."
He looks up now, eyes like radar.Leaning in he continued,
"We both know $150K doesn't match that trajectory. Let's make it $200,000 per week, and give him the mental peace to build something great here."
Valverde folds his arms, thinking. The Sporting Director raises a brow but says nothing. Laporta, ever the statesman, remains calm.
"And if he gets too comfortable? That kind of wage elevates him above others in the same bracket." Laporte states.
"With that kind of confidence, comes output. We're not just asking for more money—we're betting on performance."Mendes said sliding a paper forward, one that he prepped earlier.
"$15,000 per goal, $10,000 per assist. If he scores, he earns. Simple as that."
The Sporting Director begins scribbling numbers on a notepad. Valverde finally speaks, his tone quiet but firm.
Valverde finally said,
"I agree with Jorge on one point. I need Alex here for the long haul. His versatility—wing, midfield, even false nine—fits perfectly into my system. Let's extend the offer to five years. Build something real."
Laporta exhales, leaning back. You can feel the tension in the air. Mendes breaks it with a grin.
Mendes spoke,
"Now we're speaking like visionaries."
"Fine. Five years. $200,000 per week. Bonuses accepted. But there's one condition—$75 million buyout clause. We protect the club." Laporta states.
Mendes tilts his head, considering it.
Mendes:
"Seventy five is fair… for now."
He slides the agreement toward the legal counsel, who begins drafting a final copy.
"Oh, and one more thing. Let's sweeten the loyalty. A $5 million bonus if Alex completes the five years. He stays, he earns. Everybody wins." Mendes stated.
Laporta smirking said,
"You really never leave money on the table, do you?"
"That's why I'm here." Mendes said smiling.
I signed. Then Mendes. Then Laporta. A flurry of cameras are already being prepped outside. The PR team is rehearsing phrases like "historic deal," and "future of the club."
As I exited the room, my name already trends across social media.
" I hope you are satisfied with your new contract." Mendes asked me.
" Very much. Now I just need to show that seventy five million is not going to be enough" I said smirking.
Laughing Mendes replied, " That's the spirit."