On the second day back in Wolfsburg, Snuffy had just finished a training session and was about to get a massage to relax his muscles.
He was stopped by Gustavo and Arnold, one in front and one behind.
Arnold seemed a little embarrassed, scratching his head as he said,
"Snuffy, do you have time to have dinner together tonight?"
"Tonight? Is it that urgent? If there's nothing else later, I'll go."
Snuffy felt a bit unnatural; normally, an invitation to dinner should be given a day or two in advance.
Just like how he was planning to invite his teammates to a Spring Festival gathering at his house two days later, not on the same day.
"Let me say it!"
Gustavo found Arnold's hesitant demeanor a little amusing.
"Actually, it's our agent who wants to invite you to dinner!"
"Agent?"
"That's right, both Arnold's and my agent contracts are with Mondial, the largest agency in Germany, and they belong to one agent."
"We two were also requested by our agent to get a chance to have dinner with you."
"Of course, whether you go or not is your freedom. We just delivered the message, so you don't have to worry about anything else."
"Here are our agent's business card and the dinner hotel's business card. Please take them. If you can't make it, you can call my agent in advance."
It wasn't just Arnold and Gustavo; most of the other teammates also came with tasks.
Ever since Zhao's father found Mondial, the largest agency in Germany, which is the one Arnold and Gustavo are signed with,
and inquired about agents, subtly revealing that he was looking for an agent for his son,
all the agents belonging to Mondial were abuzz.
The question is, who is the hottest rising star in the Bundesliga right now? Does that even need asking? It's definitely Snuffy of Wolfsburg.
This is an unquestionable answer.
Another question: Do you think Snuffy will become a superstar in the future?
Does that even need to be asked? Anyone who has seen Snuffy play can tell you.
As long as this kid isn't ruined by injuries, he's at least a Ballon d'Or-level player in the future.
The father of such a talented player, not yet 17 years old, actually walked right into their trap—no, he came to inquire, looking for an agent for his son.
And he genuinely spent real money to consult. Such a good opportunity is rare, even for a large company like Mondial.
The top agent of Mondial, German agency giant Constantin-Dumitrascu, who happened to be handling affairs at the company,
after learning about this from the front desk, dropped what he was doing and went to the VIP room where Zhao's father was being received.
He thoroughly explained various aspects of being an agent to Zhao's father and offered his services to become Snuffy's agent.
At that time, Snuffy was with the team playing a match in Leverkusen.
So, Constantin-Dumitrascu arranged to visit Zhao's father after the Wolfsburg vs. Leverkusen match.
Snuffy, who had already met Constantin-Dumitrascu, naturally knew about this. He believed that the agents belonging to the same agency also knew.
But this didn't stop them from trying to get close to Snuffy through their own players. What if they succeeded? At worst, they could make friends with a future big-name player!
Therefore, even at the risk of offending the company's bigwigs, they had to try.
Not only Mondial, but also Sports Total, another giant agency in Germany, Perisic's agent Ramadani, the Dutch company introduced by Dost, and so on.
All are among the top sports agencies in Europe, and even De Bruyne handed Snuffy his agent's business card.
Half an hour later, Snuffy, holding a large stack of business cards, finally managed to escape from his enthusiastic teammates.
In the following days, besides training, Snuffy was meeting with big-name agents from these top European agencies.
Of course, he excluded those from Mondial, since the company's big shot had already scheduled a meeting, there was no need to meet the rest.
The sudden busyness meant Snuffy's Spring Festival gathering plan couldn't proceed and had to be postponed.
Time quickly moved to the day before the match against Sporting CP.
After all training sessions ended that day, to prepare for tomorrow's match, all 18 players on the roster had to stay overnight at the hotel prepared by the team.
Just as the players were gathered in the hotel restaurant for dinner, a middle-aged man in a black coat approached Snuffy, who had just finished eating.
"Sorry, I think we should meet in a more formal setting, but I really couldn't wait to see you. Snuffy! You can call me Jorge. This abrupt meeting is indeed a bit impolite, but I really couldn't wait!"
Looking at the famous Jorge, who suddenly appeared and enthusiastically extended his hand to him,
Snuffy, though very surprised, also unhesitatingly shook the extended hand.
"Jorge? Mr. Jorge Mendes? Meeting you, I'm truly a bit surprised!"
"No need to be so polite, Snuffy, just call me Jorge."
"Snuffy, may I invite you for a cup of coffee?"
"Of course, Mr. Jorge, but I need to tell my coach and teammates first."
Since it was during the team's dinner and post-meal entertainment time, Dieter Hecking naturally wouldn't refuse Snuffy's request.
Subsequently, the two went to the hotel's coffee shop downstairs.
They had a detailed discussion for over an hour on topics such as Snuffy's career plan for the next few years, the development of his commercial value, and whether to transfer.
As a big player in the world of football, Mendes's various suggestions greatly benefited Snuffy, who had not yet been exposed to the core of football.
"Mr. Jorge, thank you for your suggestions!"
"Don't thank me for such a small thing, Snuffy. Because I want to be your agent. In my opinion, your future will be no less than Cristiano's!"
Snuffy felt immense sincerity from Mendes. In fact, every agent had shown great sincerity to Snuffy, but Mendes's reputation was just too prominent.
"Of course, Mr. Jorge. However, I hope you can provide me with a detailed career plan."
Mendes, having received Snuffy's affirmation, had an uncontainable smile on his face.
"Of course, I'll be staying in Wolfsburg these next few days, and I'll come up with a career plan that satisfies you as soon as possible."