Anthony Joshua and boxing promoter Eddie Hearn are building a new football agency, with the ambitious goal of attracting top-tier players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The venture, driven by Joshua’s vision and backed by Hearn’s Matchroom Sport, aims to offer a 360-degree service for footballers, covering everything from transfers and sponsorships to lifestyle management and long-term career planning.
“We’ve been fine-tuning the plans for months,” Hearn told the Daily Mail.
“AJ went and posted about it on Instagram, and everything went mental, players, clubs, sponsors, media, everyone came to us.”
The agency is targeting elite talent, with Hearn making clear their intention, “I’m not interested in representing a couple of lower league players. I want to enter at the highest level.”
Joshua’s profile, especially in the Middle East, is already opening doors. He has spoken with five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo on multiple occasions in Saudi Arabia, as CR7 turns out in that region for Al-Nassr, with it being that standard of player that is being targeted.
Hearn added, “AJ can speak to any player he wants. One of the biggest challenges agencies face when recruiting players is simply getting in front of them. AJ can get in front of any player in the world tomorrow. In fact, players are already speaking to him.
“He’s had discussions. They know what we do. How good Matchroom is, and they know the power AJ has. AJ’s post certainly pricked up a few ears from those big names. A lot of people are interested already.
“Ronaldo didn’t DM me, but let’s just say a few eye emojis popped up. Quite a few high-profile players sent them. They weren’t saying they were signing with us tomorrow, but they were definitely showing interest. There are conversations to be had, for sure.”
There’s no confirmed launch date, but the duo are preparing to disrupt football management just as they have in boxing and darts. (Punch)
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