Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia — where he will earn more than any footballer in history — was negotiated by his friend and personal manager Ricardo Regufe rather than agent Jorge Mendes, The Athletic can reveal.
Regufe — pronounced re-ju-fey — has known Ronaldo since the early 2000s through his work with the Portugal national team while at Nike. In recent years, he has grown increasingly prominent, to the point that he took a key role on this seismic deal. Ronaldo also personally negotiated with Al Nassr, supported by his lawyer. It is understood Mendes was not involved.
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For much of their working relationship, Regufe’s brief has focused on Ronaldo’s commercial interests. He is not an agent but has now stepped into the sporting side too, and was heavily involved in talks with Manchester United over Ronaldo’s exit. Regufe is described as a “very good operator” by a source who has worked with him but spoke anonymously to protect their relationships in the industry.
Mendes has represented Ronaldo since his days as a youngster at Sporting Lisbon, agreeing moves to United, Real Madrid, Juventus and United again, as well as sorting several lucrative contracts, so his absence in this latest chapter is significant.
There is chatter in the industry that Ronaldo was frustrated over events in the summer when his desire to leave Old Trafford for a Champions League team went unfulfilled.
Mendes, meanwhile, is said to have grown frustrated at Ronaldo’s refusal to accept it was not possible to find a European club. Champions League teams turned down the chance to take Ronaldo for as little as £80,000 per week, with United willing to subsidise the rest of his salary to facilitate a departure in the last window.
Read more: Inside Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr: Rejection, revenge and soft power
In the circumstances, Mendes advised Ronaldo to stay at United, accept his role in Erik ten Hag’s squad and prove his talent on the pitch when called upon. A good season might have brought Champions League teams to the table next summer, or even seen United trigger the one-year extension in his contract.
Ronaldo could have performed a useful if not integral role under Ten Hag and the United manager tried to persuade him of this. Regufe also advocated that Ronaldo fight for his place at Old Trafford.
But Ronaldo’s mind was made up and there have been suggestions he took the initiative. An agent, who doesn’t work for Ronaldo and wished to stay anonymous to protect their relationships, told The Athletic that the 37-year-old called at least one European club executive himself to talk about the prospect of joining. A representative for Ronaldo denied he made direct contact with anybody in club hierarchies.
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In his interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo gave an indication of this thinking. Filmed in November, Morgan said: “You want to keep playing at the highest level. You want to play Champions League football, you want to be breaking records. It comes back to my gut feeling about you, that if it was just about money you’d be in Saudi Arabia earning a king’s ransom. But that’s not what motivates you. You want to keep at the top.”
Ronaldo responded: “Exactly. Because I still believe that I can score many, many goals and help the team.”
Instead, Ronaldo has joined Al Nassr, where he will earn £173million a year, according to Saudi state-owned media. His wage for playing football makes up £62million, the rest is for image rights and commercial deals. Reports have said he will also be involved in the country’s 2030 World Cup bid, but sources close to Ronaldo insist his commercial activity around Saudi Arabia will not include World Cup promotion. (Portugal are also involved in a campaign to host that tournament.)
Regufe sealed the enormous deal and accompanied Ronaldo on the private jet that flew him to Riyadh. Regufe kept his Instagram followers updated with clips of Ronaldo boarding the plane, sending a message to fans from his seat, and riding in the car driving them through the Saudi capital as huge electronic billboards flashed above the motorway showing the city’s famous new resident.
The episode has solidified a working relationship and friendship that dates back to when Ronaldo was a 16-year-old. Regufe was 21 when he joined Nike in 2000 and his responsibility was to manage Portugal’s photoshoots with the sports manufacturer. Also, when players wanted Nike boots, Regufe was the one they asked.
Over time, Regufe, now 43, impressed Ronaldo and he began accompanying the burgeoning superstar at other commercial events. Their bond encouraged Ronaldo to become a sponsored Nike athlete.
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Regufe gained accreditation for Euro 2016 and was pitchside as Portugal claimed their first international silverware. Having supported Ronaldo hugely during his time at Real, Regufe became his personal manager in 2018.
Regufe wrote on LinkedIn: “Having started working for Nike at the age of 21 was a dream come true! And I was far from knowing that it would change my life forever! 2 years after I started I have signed the best player of all time! That was a complete game changer for Nike, for CR and for me obviously! What an amazing journey it was! 18 years working for such a great company with so many talented colleagues, players, coaches, agents, etc. Have learned a lot with all of them. It helped me to reach the best I could through a lot of dedication, passion, hard work, resilience and consistency! There’s no finish line…!”
In Qatar, some Portugal players expressed curiosity at Regufe’s presence in camp given his focus was solely on Ronaldo rather than the whole side. But sources, anonymous to protect their relationships, say he is a “nice guy” and known to most of the squad.
His effectiveness was certainly noted at United. Regufe would talk to people at all levels, from chief executive Richard Arnold to staff in the communications department. If Ronaldo was required to make an appearance for the club away from the pitch, Regufe was the person United called to arrange it. His diplomacy skills are heralded by people who have watched him work; he could get Ronaldo to do things.
The one thing he is said to have been unable to convince Ronaldo over, however, was that interview with Morgan. It is said that Regufe advised Ronaldo against laying so much bare, as did Mendes.
Regufe, who lives in Porto, has a widely positive reputation in the industry. Julian Ward, Liverpool’s sporting director, worked with Regufe when he was head of analysis and technical scouting for Portugal between 2008 and 2010. He also wrote a commendation for Regufe on LinkedIn in 2013: “Ricardo is an intelligent and organised professional who has established strong relations with coaches, players and practitioners working in elite level sport.”
After organising the most monied move in football, Regufe’s reputation will only be enhanced.
The Athletic contacted Regufe and Mendes’s Gestifute agency for comment but received no reply from either at the time of publishing.
(Top images: Instagram/Ricardo Regufe; designed by Sam Richardson)
