Some people always like to define Ye Chen using preconceived notions.
But Ye Chen's existence defies definition!
Frankly, even Ye Chen himself doesn't know his limits, so why should others presume what he can or can't do?
That's why Ye Chen found Raiola's words irritating.
Work with someone like that?
He might as well be his own agent!
Earning less money would still be better than putting up with such nonsense.
"Oh, it's over already?" Mendes asked with surprise when he saw the two come out.
But inwardly, he was pleasedâit was clear Raiola had been eliminated!
"Jorge, I must tell you, this guy is an arrogant, overconfident Chinese kid with no plan for his future. A player like him will never succeed!" Raiola complained, his tone firm. "He's only 17 and claims he'll win both the Bundesliga Golden Boot and the Champions League Golden Boot. Do you think that's even possible?"
Ye Chen remained calm. He could understand why Raiola was upsetâafter all, he had flown in from another country to Dortmund and waited in the office early in the morning without even resting.
Yet their discussion had collapsed after only a few minutes. Frustration was natural.
Mendes chuckled. "Of course, it's possible! Just because no one has done it before doesn't mean no one ever will."
"You... You're completely shameless!" Raiola stared at Mendes in disbelief. "Did you fawn over Ronaldo like this too?"
"No, no, no, I'm just stating facts," Mendes said confidently with a smile. "Trust my judgmentâYe will become the brightest superstar in football over the next decade!"
"You're joking, right? Ronaldo, maybe I'd believe you. But him? Really?" Raiola scoffed. "Mendes, don't throw away your dignity as a top agent just for the Chinese market!"
Mendes shook his head.
Before watching Ye Chen play, he too had thought his interest was primarily about the potential of the Chinese market.
But that was until yesterday afternoon, when he witnessed Dortmund's match against Cologne.
On the field, the young man running with abandon, giving everything for victory, began to remind him of someone from his memories.
The 17-year-old Ye Chen carried the same aura Ronaldo had at that age!
They shared an almost obsessive determination to score goals.
And Ye Chen's final goal ignited a spark in Mendes' heart.
With Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid, Mendes needed a new star. From the moment he saw Ye Chen, he knew his next golden ticket had arrived!
"You really think that highly of me?"
"Absolutely! I'll prove my sincerity," Mendes said with a smile.
"I wasn't planning to hire an agent," Ye Chen shrugged and opened the meeting room door. "Do you still want to come in and talk?"
"Of course, since I'm already here." Mendes smiled and followed him inside.
Entering the room, Mendes, like Raiola, opened his briefcase and pulled out a document.
"This is the contract I signed with Cristiano. Take a look," Mendes said with a smile.
Ye Chen was taken aback. "Isn't this supposed to be confidential? Isn't it inappropriate for me to see it?"
"Not at all, because I'm prepared to offer you an identical contract," Mendes said calmly.
The sincerity in his first statement was overwhelming!
Now it was Ye Chen's turn to be stunned.
Was he serious? Offering him the same agent contract as Ronaldo's?
It sounded like a joke!
After all, Ronaldo was one of the "GOATs," one of the two most influential players in football today!
And Mendes was making such a big offer right out of the gate?
The agent's fee was 2.75%, with a 10% cut for commercial dealsâterms that Mendes had managed entirely for Ronaldo.
There was no room for negotiation here; the sincerity was undeniable.
Could he somehow know about Ye Chen's "system"?
That thought was quickly dismissed as absurd.
Ye Chen could only chalk it up to his own personal charm!
However, Ye Chen genuinely hadn't planned on hiring an agentâhe wasn't even considering a transfer.
"You can tell me your honest thoughts. Even if we don't work together, I can offer you some advice," Mendes said with a smile.
"I'm not planning to transfer, so I don't need an agent."
"Who told you agents only handle transfers?" Mendes asked, surprised.
"Of course, I know. Commercial development is also an important aspect," Ye Chen replied with a smile.
But Mendes shook his head again. "Commercial development isn't even the most critical part! There's a saying: let professionals handle professional matters. For example, tax issues during transfers..."
Mendes wasn't just there as an agentâhe was there to educate.
In football, many players have faced lawsuits over tax issues, including Neymar, Messi, and Ronaldo.
This was indeed an area Ye Chen was concerned about.
Mendes, as expected of a top agent, had a way with words. Backed by solid examples, his explanation made ten minutes fly by in an instant.
Ye Chen's perspective began to shift slightly, and he decided to give Mendes a chance.
"Although I'm not planning to transfer, the club seems to want to negotiate a contract renewal with me. I can agree to a short-term trial contract with you. If I'm satisfied, I might consider a long-term collaboration!" Ye Chen finally decided.
Honestly, the past few days had been tiring for him.
He'd rather spend the time training and competing.
His only thought now was to score a hat-trick in the upcoming German Cup and break the Guinness World Record set by a Japanese player!
Of course, he didn't tell anyone he wanted to score four or even five goals in one match!
That player, Masashi Nakayama, scored 16 goals in four games, while Ye Chen had only 12 in four games so far.
Ye Chen was the type to refuse defeat!
Especially when it came to rivals from certain regions, he was determined to prove himself.
So, he wanted to focus entirely on training and matches.
As Mendes said: let professionals handle professional matters!
Mendes didn't hesitate. He stood up and extended his hand. "Looking forward to working with you!"
They agreed to a one-year contract with a three-month trial period.
If either side was dissatisfied, they could terminate the contract unilaterally.
Because it was a short-term deal, Mendes' commission was slightly higher: 5% for salary contracts and 10% for commercial deals.
However, every commercial collaboration would require Ye Chen's approval.
After ironing out some finer details, Ye Chen signed the agreement under the witness of Klopp and Watzke.
Soon after, Mendes' agency, Gestifute, prominently displayed a new announcement on its website:
"Congratulations to Chinese player Chen Ye for signing a contract with Mendes!"
The news was like a thunderclap, shaking the football world to its core!
The hottest young striker in football teaming up with the most successful football agent was truly a dream collaboration!