Chapter 24 : Jorge Mendes

In the post-match press conference, Pep Guardiola sat at the table, his usual composed demeanor evident as journalists fired questions at him. With a bottle of water in front of him, he adjusted his jacket and leaned slightly forward, ready to address the media.

The first question came swiftly.

Journalist: "Pep, a fantastic start to the season for Manchester City, but all eyes are on one player—Nico Cruyff. A fifteen-year-old making his debut, scoring twice, assisting once, and running the game. What do you make of his performance?"

Guardiola smiled, shaking his head slightly before answering.

Pep Guardiola: "Nico is... different. I don't know how else to put it. You see players with talent, but what he showed today is more than just talent—it is intelligence, composure, maturity beyond his years. It is his first Premier League game, but he played like he has been doing this for years. He was kicked, fouled, pushed, but he never lost focus. That is rare."

Another journalist quickly followed up.

Journalist: "Before the match, Tony Pulis and West Brom seemed to have targeted Nico as the weak point. They tried to be physical, tried to rough him up, but he seemed unfazed. How do you think he handled that?"

Guardiola let out a small chuckle.

Pep Guardiola: "I think you all saw it. They wanted to test him, but instead, he tested them. Nico is not a player who will fall over and complain. He takes the hit, gets up, and continues playing. This is the Premier League—it is tough, physical, but he showed today that he is more than ready for it. He never let the pressure affect him, and that is a great sign for the future."

Another journalist raised his hand and asked a tactical question.

Journalist: "You played him as an attacking midfielder today, but given his ability to control the game, do you see him dropping deeper in the future, maybe into a Xavi or Iniesta-type role?"

Guardiola thought for a moment before answering.

Pep Guardiola: "Right now, he is very young. He is a player who can play in multiple positions, but today, he was perfect in that attacking role. He linked up with Agüero, he created chances, and, of course, he scored two fantastic goals. We will see how he develops, but what is most important is that he enjoys football and keeps working hard."

The next question came from a journalist who seemed particularly eager.

Journalist: "Pep, you have worked with some of the greatest young talents in football. You saw Messi rise at Barcelona—does Nico remind you of anyone?"

Guardiola smiled but didn't answer immediately. He took a sip of water before responding carefully.

Pep Guardiola: "Comparisons are dangerous. Every player is unique. But what I will say is that Nico has something special. His footballing mind, his ability to read the game, his technique—it is not normal for a fifteen-year-old. But we must be patient. It is one game. One fantastic game, but still just one. If he keeps working, keeps learning, then, who knows? Maybe one day we will talk about him the way we talk about the greats."

Another journalist, intrigued by the rapid rise of Nico Cruyff, leaned forward and asked,

Journalist: "Pep, Nico was still playing in the Segunda División for Real Betis just a few months ago. How did you spot him? What made you believe he was ready for this level?"

Guardiola let out a laugh, shaking his head before responding.

Pep Guardiola: "You ask how I spotted him? I first saw Nico when he was eight years old. He came to Barcelona with his grandfather—Johan Cruyff. He wanted to take a few free kicks against Valdés. Imagine that, an eight-year-old challenging a Barcelona first-team goalkeeper. He took ten free kicks. Six went in. Valdés saved four. And these weren't just lucky shots; they were precise, powerful, like a player far beyond his years."

He paused for a moment, his expression shifting to one of admiration before continuing.

Pep Guardiola: "From that moment, I knew he was special. Everyone at Barcelona knew. In La Masia, they called him 'the Crown Jewel.' He was destined for greatness. You can check his stats in youth leagues if you want—more than 800 goals, over 300 assists. Those numbers don't happen by chance. The world is just seeing it now, but I've known for a long time. And I've always wanted to coach him since that day."

The room fell silent for a brief second before a murmur of astonishment spread through the journalists. A child once hailed as the future of Barcelona was now lighting up the Premier League at just fifteen.

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The cameras cut to the CBS Sports studio, where the panel of experts was ready to break down Manchester City's dominant performance and, more importantly, the sensational debut of Nico Cruyff. Sitting at the desk were Thierry Henry, Micah Richards, and Jamie Carragher, with Kate Abdo leading the discussion.

Kate Abdo leaned forward, setting the stage.

Kate Abdo: "Well, gentlemen, Manchester City kick off their Premier League campaign in style, a 3-0 win over West Brom. But let's be honest, the story tonight isn't just the result—it's a 15-year-old named Nico Cruyff, two goals and an assist on his debut. Thierry, let's start with you. What did you make of his performance?"

Henry, a legend of the game himself, let out a small chuckle before shaking his head in disbelief.

Thierry Henry: "Kate, I don't even know where to start. We are witnessing something special. The kid is 15! 15! And he's playing like he's been in the Premier League for years. The composure, the vision, the ability to handle the physicality—it's ridiculous. That first goal, the way he left Fletcher for dead, held off Yacob, and then sent Olsson the wrong way before smashing it into the top corner... that's something you see from a world-class player, not a teenager making his debut."

Micah Richards, a former City player, was practically beaming.

Micah Richards: "Thierry, I was watching that goal with my mouth open. And then the assist? That pass to Aguero... mate, he sliced through the defense like a hot knife through butter! It was perfect, the weight, the curve, Aguero didn't even have to break stride. And let's not forget that free kick at the end—32 meters out, top bins! Ben Foster had no chance."

Jamie Carragher, always the skeptic, nodded but had a more cautious take.

Jamie Carragher: "Look, I won't deny the talent—what we saw tonight was breathtaking. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The Premier League is a long, grueling season. There will be tougher tests ahead, more physical sides, teams that will specifically target him. The real challenge is consistency. Can he do this week in, week out?"

Kate Abdo turned back to Henry.

Kate Abdo: "Thierry, you've played at the highest level. From what you saw today, is this kid the real deal?"

Henry leaned forward, eyes serious.

Thierry Henry: "Kate, there's no question in my mind. We're not just talking about a good debut. We're talking about a kid who has all the tools to be one of the greatest. The technique, the intelligence, the mentality... it's scary. If he keeps working hard, if he stays focused, we could be looking at the next global superstar."

Micah Richards grinned, nodding in agreement.

Micah Richards: "City fans, get excited. This is just the beginning."

Kate Abdo wrapped up the segment.

Kate Abdo: "Well, if tonight was any indication, the Premier League has a new star. Nico Cruyff—remember the name."

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In the CBS Sports studio, after analyzing his debut performance for Manchester City, Kate Abdo raised an important question:

"We all know his performances on the pitch, but how is Nico outside of football? What is his mentality like?"

At that moment, instead of just discussing his work ethic and character, they let Nico speak for himself by airing the only available piece of his interview from his time at Betis.

CBS Sports Studio: Insights into Nico's Mentality

The camera panned back to the CBS Sports studio, where Kate Abdo turned to the panel after the clip finished playing.

Kate Abdo: "That was Nico Cruyff at just 14 years old. A teenager playing in the Segunda División, yet speaking like a seasoned professional. Thierry, Micah, Jamie—what do you make of his mentality?"

Thierry Henry nodded, visibly impressed.

Thierry Henry: "Honestly, Kate, I was already amazed by his talent, but hearing him speak like that? That's next level. You can have all the ability in the world, but if you don't have the right mentality, you won't make it to the top. This kid doesn't just want to be great—he's obsessed with it. Twenty thousand free kicks? That's a level of dedication you can't teach."

Micah Richards, still grinning, chimed in.

Micah Richards: "And the confidence! Not arrogance—just pure self-belief. The way he talks about free kicks, like it's a science. He doesn't hope to score—he knows it's going in. That's what separates world-class players from the rest."

Jamie Carragher, despite being skeptical earlier, now looked thoughtful.

Jamie Carragher: "You know, I was saying before that we need to see consistency from him, but after hearing that? I don't think he's the type to let his standards drop. He understands what it takes to be great. That quote from his grandfather—'When you have the talent to be the best, it's a sin not to work for it.' That's an elite mindset right there."

Kate Abdo leaned forward, addressing the audience.

Kate Abdo: "So, it's not just his performances on the pitch that make him special—it's his mentality, his discipline, his work ethic. Gentlemen, it looks like Manchester City haven't just signed a generational talent. They've signed a future legend."

The panel nodded in agreement as the broadcast cut to the next segment, but the message was clear—Nico Cruyff wasn't just a footballing prodigy. He was a phenomenon in the making.

_____________

At Pep Guardiola's home, the atmosphere was calm and intimate, a stark contrast to the electric energy of the stadium just hours ago. Nico sat at the dinner table, Valentina—as usual—perched on his lap, her small hands gripping his shirt as he carefully fed her.

Across the table, Cristina Serra, Pep's wife, smiled softly at the sight. "She really is attached to you, isn't she?" she remarked, watching how Valentina only seemed interested in eating when Nico was the one feeding her.

Nico chuckled. "I think she just likes bossing me around," he said, gently wiping a bit of food from her lips.

Maria Guardiola, Pep's eldest daughter, smirked. "Or maybe she just knows you're an easy target."

The table laughed, but Pep remained mostly quiet, focused on his meal. He was never one to engage in unnecessary chatter, especially during dinner. Instead, he observed.

Marius, his son, looked up from his plate. "Nico, did you hear what they were saying about you on CBS? They showed your old interview from Betis."

Nico raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?"

Marius nodded. "Yeah, Kate Abdo was talking about how good you are on the pitch, but she also wanted to show people what you're like off it. They played that interview where you talked about your work ethic, free kicks, and—" he smirked "—when they asked if you had a girlfriend."

Cristina chuckled. "I remember that interview! You almost choked on your water, didn't you?"

Nico shook his head with a small laugh. "I wasn't expecting that question at all."

Maria grinned. "Well, you better get used to it. You're a star now, Nico. People are going to want to know everything about you."

Pep finally spoke, setting his fork down. "Let them talk. What matters is what happens on the pitch." His voice was calm but firm. "And tonight, you showed them."

There was a brief silence as everyone absorbed his words. Then, Cristina smiled and raised her glass.

"To Nico's debut," she said.

The family clinked their glasses, even little Valentina raising her tiny hands in excitement. Nico smiled, feeling a rare sense of warmth and belonging in this new chapter of his life.

_______________

As dinner continued, Pep finally spoke again, this time directing his attention straight at Nico.

"Do you have an agent?" he asked, his tone casual yet pointed.

Nico shook his head. "No, I don't."

Pep nodded, a satisfied look on his face. "Good," he said simply, before taking another bite of his food.

Nico raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Without looking up from his plate, Pep continued, "Because Jorge Mendes called me today. He wants to meet you tomorrow."

The table went silent for a moment. Cristina glanced at Pep with mild surprise, while Maria and Marius exchanged wide-eyed looks. Even little Valentina, though too young to understand the significance of the name, seemed to pick up on the sudden shift in atmosphere.

Nico, however, remained composed. "Mendes?" he repeated, processing the information.

Pep finally looked up. "Yes. He said he'll give you a call in the morning. Tomorrow's a rest day, so you have time."

Nico leaned back slightly in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly against the table. Jorge Mendes wasn't just any agent—he was the agent, representing some of the biggest names in football history. Cristiano Ronaldo, José Mourinho, and countless other superstars had been under his management.

Cristina smiled knowingly. "Looks like the big sharks are circling already," she said.

Maria grinned. "You haven't even played five games, and Mendes is already knocking on your door. That has to be some kind of record."

Nico just chuckled, shaking his head. He knew this moment would come eventually, but he didn't expect it to happen this soon.

Pep, however, remained serious. "Think about it carefully," he said. "The right agent can help you, but the wrong one…" He trailed off, letting the words linger.

Nico nodded. He understood what Pep was implying. Football was a business, and in business, not everyone had your best interests at heart.

"Understood," he said simply.

Pep studied him for a moment before giving a small nod. "Good."

And with that, the conversation moved on, but in Nico's mind, one thing was clear—tomorrow would be a big day.

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