Raiola, usually controversial, was the agent of many soccer stars like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba, Erling Haaland, Pavel Nedved and extra
Raiola, usually controversial, was the agent of many soccer stars like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba, Erling Haaland, Pavel Nedved and extra
Mino Raiola, the influential and sometimes controversial sports activities agent to a few of soccer’s greatest gamers, has died. He was 54.
Raiola died after a protracted sickness, his household confirmed on Saturday. He had been present process therapy at Milan’s San Raffaele hospital, the place he was visited by Zlatan Ibrahimović this week. Raiola underwent surgical procedure in January but it surely was stated on the time that it was not life-threatening.
“In infinite sorrow we share the passing of probably the most caring and superb soccer agent that ever was,” learn a put up from “The Raiola Household” on his social media accounts.
“Mino fought till the tip with the identical power he placed on negotiation tables to defend our gamers. As typical, Mino made us proud and by no means realized it.”
Raiola was the agent of stars comparable to Erling Haaland and Paul Pogba, in addition to Ibrahimović.
He was well-known for getting his gamers big-money strikes but additionally drew the ire of soccer managers, together with Alex Ferguson after he negotiated Pogba’s switch from Manchester United to Juventus in 2012.
He additionally handled Pogba’s return to United in 2016 for a then-world-record price of 105 million euros (then $116 million) of which Raiola earned 27 million euros ($30 million). He was paid tens of millions extra by Pogba and United.
Raiola was within the technique of negotiating Haaland’s anticipated transfer away from Borussia Dortmund this summer time, with Manchester Metropolis considered one of a number of attainable locations for the Norwegian starlet.
Raiola additionally oversaw the departure of Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from childhood membership AC Milan to Paris Saint-Germain final yr. Mario Balotelli was one other of his purchasers.
“Mino touched so many lives by means of his work and wrote a brand new chapter within the historical past of contemporary soccer. His presence will perpetually be missed,” added the announcement of his loss of life.
“Mino’s mission of creating soccer a greater place for gamers will proceed with the identical ardour.”
Italian and worldwide media extensively reported on Thursday that Raiola had died however that was categorically denied to The Related Press by his company and later refuted apparently by Raiola himself on social media.
“Present well being standing for those questioning: p(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)d off second time in 4 months they kill me. Appear additionally in a position to resuscitate,” learn a message on Raiola’s Twitter account.
It was additionally wrongly reported he had died in January when he was taken to the hospital for what had been later confirmed as “bizarre medical checks that require anesthesia.”
Raiola was born within the southern Italian metropolis of Nocera Inferiore however moved to the Netherlands after lower than a yr.
He labored as a waiter in his father’s Italian restaurant whereas at highschool and went on to check legislation for 2 years at college.
Raiola was a youth crew soccer participant and administrator earlier than beginning his profession as a sports activities agent by aiding within the switch of Dutch gamers to international golf equipment.
He was hardly ever removed from controversy or the limelight — very similar to a number of of the gamers he represented. Raiola in contrast FIFA to a mafia group in 2013 and known as the governing physique’s then-president Sepp Blatter a “demented dictator.”
Together with fellow “tremendous brokers” Jorge Mendes and Jonathan Barnett, Raiola threatened FIFA with authorized motion over plans for a cap on switch funds in 2020.
