Jorge Mendes revealed during a masterclass at the Católica Porto SBE that over 80 percent of the players he has transferred throughout his career were not the most important players at their respective clubs, citing the early career paths of João Félix and Bernardo Silva as examples of how academy evaluations frequently miss the mark.
Jorge Mendes Details João Félix Transfer to Benfica
Speaking at an executive MBA conference organized alongside the Liga Portugal Business School, Mendes explained that João Félix initially developed within FC Porto’s youth ranks before making a switch to Benfica. The move materialized largely due to family logistics.
According to the founder of Gestifute, Félix’s father grew concerned when his other son secured a youth contract at Benfica while João remained at Porto. That family dynamic pushed the young forward toward Benfica under unexpected circumstances. Mendes recounted that Benfica took Félix “quase por favor”—nearly as a favor to accommodate the family’s wishes.
Félix spent four years at Benfica between 2015 and 2019 before commanding a €126 million transfer fee to Atlético Madrid. Today, the Portugal international represents Al Nassr.
Skeptics Claimed Bernardo Silva Would Peak at Paços de Ferreira
While Félix faced a transition in his youth, Bernardo Silva encountered skepticism from evaluators who doubted his physical profile. Industry insiders repeatedly told Mendes that the midfielder lacked the physical robustness required for top-flight competition.
🚨 BREAKING: Bernardo Silva's DREAM was to JOIN Real Madrid.Jorge Mendes offered the player MULTIPLE times, but Real Madrid ALWAYS said they were NOT interested.José Mourinho’s arrival CHANGED everything and when Bernardo knew, he told Jorge Mendes to get it DONE. @jfelixdiaz pic.twitter.com/BUJY7sJE8S
Mendes recalled being warned that Silva would never develop into an important player. Critics claimed his absolute ceiling was a modest role in the 1st or 2nd division, suggesting “no máximo num Paços de Ferreira.”
Club academies routinely prioritize physical power over technical mastery during formative years, according to the agent. Because Silva was a player of possession rather than running, suitors were hard to find. Mendes noted that he personally had to convince the club president at Monaco to retain the midfielder after a difficult first season, paving the way for a subsequent tactical fit at Manchester City.
Deco and the Divergence of Academy Evaluations
To further illustrate the fallibility of early talent assessment, Mendes pointed to the career of former FC Porto midfielder Deco. Mendes discovered the playmaker during a match between Espinho and Alverca and immediately offered him to Benfica.
Benfica officials declined the opportunity, claiming no interest in the midfielder. Mendes subsequently placed Deco at Salgueiros before launching a concerted effort to convince then-Porto president Pinto da Costa. Although manager Fernando Santos initially favored Duda of Boavista, Pinto da Costa intervened to secure Deco, who later anchored Porto’s 2004 UEFA Champions League-winning side.
Talent Versus Work Ethic in Professional Development
Concluding his remarks on leadership and negotiation, Mendes argued that raw ability remains insufficient without elite professionalism and relentless determination. The agent’s central thesis: a player with modest natural talent who works with absolute commitment will consistently outperform a gifted counterpart who relies solely on natural gifts.
Mendes cautioned that countless prospects are wasted simply because they never encounter an advocate willing to give them a platform in lower professional tiers, noting that elite-level talent frequently lingers undiscovered in domestic second and third divisions.
