A note from our Co-CEO, Co-Founder and Principal Agent, Guillermo Zamarripa…
These have been intense weeks at TMJ—it’s this type of process I sometimes wish I could document on camera to remember exactly how, when, and where a series of events unfolded. We have the privilege of managing the careers of footballers with a unique mindset; these profiles have helped us build our agency and the global standing we enjoy today within the women’s football ecosystem. Rebeca Bernal is undoubtedly one of those players who has made us better and allowed us to dream big. So big, in fact, that we now have our first TMJ Athlete at Manchester United.
As a native of Tampico, I cannot ignore the personal significance this deal holds for my career as a FIFA agent, nor can I hide the immense pride I feel seeing a fellow Tampico native arrive in England and at the Theatre of Dreams. I grew up playing football in Tampico at a school called “Pumitas,” and right behind that field was Cruz Azul Madero—one of the first football academies where Rebe started her journey. Funny how destiny works…
Amidst the frenzy of the last ten days, there were multiple moments during negotiations when the transfer seemed on the verge of collapse for one reason or another. These types of international deals are incredibly complex, requiring a level of execution and attention to the tiniest detail that is hard to put into words. Throughout the process, you ride an “emotional rollercoaster” alongside the talent; you are constantly on the edge of a deal that could alter the course of a player’s career, while remaining aware that it could fall through at any moment, forcing a return to the reality of their current club. Rebe handled these emotions like the elite professional she is—with a mindset that has placed her among the very best in the sport today.
I have accompanied Rebe through much of her professional career and have been blessed to witness her establish herself as one of the country’s finest footballers. From leader to legend. From national star to international icon. From playing in Liga MX Femenil to the NWSL, and now the WSL—two direct transfers: first from Mexico to the United States, and then from the United States to England. Viewed from any angle, Rebeca Bernal’s recent achievements are historic for our country; they reflect the discipline, hard work, and unique mindset that have positioned her as a leader for an entire generation of professional female footballers in Mexico.
For me and the entire TMJ team, one thing is clear: we will keep striving to help our players realize their dreams. The bigger those dreams are, the more we grow and the better an ecosystem we can build for them. Ultimately, amidst the complex deals we handle, there is always a moment that confirms the value of our work; in this specific case, seeing Rebe in Manchester with her father and “La Güera,” fully savoring the moment of her signing, was undoubtedly that defining moment for me. I became a FIFA agent precisely to create these kinds of opportunities and spark these kinds of emotions.
Rebe: thank you for your trust and for letting me share in these dreams alongside you. You have conquered every single stadium and club you have landed on. Time to conquer England and the Theatre of Dreams.
