Wagner Ribeiro
Encyclopedia
Wagner Ribeiro is a Brazil
ian football
agent, whose more famous clients include Milan AC's Brazilian forward Robinho
, Santos FC Star Neymar as well as ex-Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo
. Ribeiro was instrumental in engineering Robinho's transfer from Brazilian club Santos
to Spanish giants Real Madrid
, who dished out $30 million for the highly-rated youngster. On August 19, 2010 he lost a battle against Santos FC. Chelsea wants his client, Neymar, but the player did not accept the offer made by Chelsea
, and continues playing for Santos FC, with new contract.
High-profile clients apart, Ribeiro is known for his controversial statements regarding players and teams. His penchant for making controversial statements was seen most recently when, after the sacking of Luxemburgo, Ribeiro laid into Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez for what he claimed was an "unbalanced squad".
Ribeiro also famously claimed that some of Real Madrid's Spanish players, namely Raul Gonzalez
, Guti
and Iván Helguera did not get along with Real Madrid's growing contingent of Brazilian players. His words created a minor crisis at the club, with both fans and the press alike wondering if a lack of team spirit in Real Madrid's dressing room was the cause for their poor form. The crisis subsided to an extent when one of the players Ribeiro named, Iván Helguera, came out to strongly deny his claims.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
agent, whose more famous clients include Milan AC's Brazilian forward Robinho
Robinho
Robson de Souza , more commonly known as Robinho, is a Brazilian professional footballer who currently plays as second striker and winger for Serie A club AC Milan...
, Santos FC Star Neymar as well as ex-Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo
Vanderlei Luxemburgo
Vanderlei Luxemburgo da Silva , better known as Vanderlei Luxemburgo, is a Brazilian football manager and former football player. He holds the distinction of being the most successful manager in the history of Brazil's Série A, with 5 league titles...
. Ribeiro was instrumental in engineering Robinho's transfer from Brazilian club Santos
Santos Futebol Clube
Santos Futebol Clube is a Brazilian professional football club based in Santos, São Paulo They play in the Campeonato Paulista and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, the highest professional leagues in São Paulo state and Brazil, respectively....
to Spanish giants Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
, who dished out $30 million for the highly-rated youngster. On August 19, 2010 he lost a battle against Santos FC. Chelsea wants his client, Neymar, but the player did not accept the offer made by Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
, and continues playing for Santos FC, with new contract.
High-profile clients apart, Ribeiro is known for his controversial statements regarding players and teams. His penchant for making controversial statements was seen most recently when, after the sacking of Luxemburgo, Ribeiro laid into Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez for what he claimed was an "unbalanced squad".
Ribeiro also famously claimed that some of Real Madrid's Spanish players, namely Raul Gonzalez
Raúl González
Raúl González Blanco , known simply as Raúl, is a Spanish footballer who plays as a striker. He currently plays for German club Schalke 04....
, Guti
José María Gutiérrez
José María Gutiérrez Hernández, commonly known as Guti , is a Spanish footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder....
and Iván Helguera did not get along with Real Madrid's growing contingent of Brazilian players. His words created a minor crisis at the club, with both fans and the press alike wondering if a lack of team spirit in Real Madrid's dressing room was the cause for their poor form. The crisis subsided to an extent when one of the players Ribeiro named, Iván Helguera, came out to strongly deny his claims.