Footbal: Arsenal - Chapter 69: Raiola to Mendes: Would You Mind Getting Lost? Thanks. (Patreon)

At long last, football's agents had figured out where to find Kieran.

Until now, Wenger had protected him remarkably well. The manager's stock answer to outsiders was always that the boy was busy training. With Arsenal's packed fixture list, it was convincing enough, and Kieran seldom left the club grounds anyway.

On the rare occasions he did venture out, he usually went no farther than the supporters waiting by the gate.

Agents with time on their hands had tried their luck in those crowds. Unfortunately for them, they stood out so badly that security would escort them away before they ever got close to Kieran.

Even major figures such as Mendes and Raiola had made attempts in the past. But back then Arsenal had been absorbed in training and preparing for matches, with no time to entertain agents.

Besides, both men had businesses of their own to run. They couldn't camp outside the training ground every day.

Now that news had spread that Kieran was officially looking for representation, the agents who kept their ears to the ground were springing into action.

The story had shaken more than the agency business. Journalists descended on it like wolves catching the scent of blood.

Kieran noticed considerably more cameras around the club than usual.

He spotted Mendes, too. Cristiano Ronaldo had sent him a photograph of the man over WhatsApp, so the face was familiar.

Mendes was talking to Raiola, dressed in an immaculate suit with polished shoes. He had clearly taken care over his appearance for the meeting.

Looking around at all the people who'd come, Kieran realized he wasn't going to make it to Rooney's house today.

He promptly called Rooney, explained the situation, and canceled the visit. Fortunately, his friend understood.

Once the autograph session was winding down, Kieran went over to thank Raiola for his help.

The agent stared at him in genuine astonishment. “Oh my God, Kieran! You're thanking me? No, no, I wanted to help. You don't owe me anything! If you'd just give me a chance to talk with you, I'd be the one thanking you.”

Laughing, Raiola put an arm around Kieran's shoulders and made for the entrance to the club.

They hadn't managed a single step before someone blocked their path.

Naturally.

“Hello, Kieran. I'm Mendes.”

Jorge Mendes came around from the side and offered his hand. Kieran shook it with a friendly smile.

“I see you're about to have a conversation,” Mendes said pleasantly. “Would you mind if I joined you?”

Then he turned to Raiola. “You wouldn't object to including me, would you, Mino? You've never been a small-minded man.”

Wrong. Starting right now, I'm the most small-minded man in the entire world!

Raiola barely managed to suppress an eye roll. He still wanted Kieran to see his best side, so he kept quiet and waited for the boy's answer.

Kieran glanced from one agent to the other.

“Fat Raiola, would you mind if I spoke to both of you at the same time?”

Raiola's round eyes widened. “Of course I wouldn't!”

He forced an enthusiastic grin. “Come along, Kieran. I haven't caught up with Mendes for ages, hahaha! I can't wait to hear what brilliant ideas he has for you.”

And that was how Kieran's agent interviews began.

He brought the two men inside and found a meeting room, then offered to make them coffee.

Raiola had barely sat down before he sprang back up. “I'll do it! Kieran, you sit. Have a chat with Mendes first.”

He hurried away to take charge of the drinks.

Mendes wasn't about to waste the opening. He turned straight to Kieran.

“You really are an exceptional player. Chris and José have both spoken to me about you. They painted a picture of an extraordinary young talent, but I wanted to meet you myself. I wanted to understand what made you so special.”

Kieran raised an eyebrow. “Thanks. And now that you've met me? How special am I?”

“Quite extraordinary,” Mendes answered without a trace of humor. “There's nobody else like you in football.”

“I can't begin to predict everything you might achieve. With Chris, I have a clearer idea, because I'm already helping him build his commercial empire and pursue the honors and awards within his reach.”

“My work with him shows what I can do. I'm very good at developing a footballer's entire image and brand.”

“You have tremendous influence waiting to be unlocked. Your background gives you access to the Chinese market, something most players could only dream of. And your performances on the pitch are captivating.”

“With the right planning and promotion, I believe you could become the defining superstar of an entire era.”

“So, Kieran, if you put your faith in me, I'm certain I can build a future for you that no one else could even imagine.”

Kieran listened, then smiled and nodded politely.

Inside, however, he felt remarkably little.

Mendes had made an impressive pitch and painted a magnificent picture of the years ahead. But the moment he started talking about the future, Kieran knew it wasn't going to work.

Wenger's advice had been sound. The agent he chose needed to place him above every other client.

If a leading agent directed the greater part of his resources toward Kieran, that would give his career the strongest possible support.

And who was the most important player in Mendes's stable right now?

Before meeting the man, Kieran would have answered Cristiano Ronaldo. After hearing Mendes speak, he could give a more precise answer: it was Cristiano Ronaldo, the world-famous superstar and commercial brand Mendes himself had helped create.

Either way, it was Ronaldo. There was no question about that.

Mendes had said as much. He was already working hard to help Cristiano compete for awards and honors. Ronaldo was his present, while Kieran was still a possible future.

What would happen when the two footballers were rivals for the same award? It was easy to imagine where most of Mendes's resources would go.

Without his own agent's full support, Kieran could find himself at a serious disadvantage in awards decided by votes.

So he crossed Mendes off his list then and there, without saying it aloud.

Raiola, meanwhile, had finished making the coffee. He set the cups down carefully, without interrupting, and straightened up to listen.

As Mendes finished his presentation, Raiola breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

He'd been worried that Mendes might make outrageous promises, perhaps even telling Kieran he'd become more important than Cristiano Ronaldo. If he lured the boy away with claims he couldn't fulfill, Kieran's potential might be wasted.

Raiola was different. He could swear that if Kieran chose him, the youngster would become the most important player he represented.