Mino Raiola’s legacy lives on as a game-changer in football transfers.©(@AzizulFarhan2 )
Mino Raiola, the football super agent synonymous with high-profile transfers, left an indelible mark on the sport. Known for his fearless negotiations and ability to secure the best deals for his clients, Raiola’s legacy in the football world is unparalleled. Throughout his career, he represented some of the biggest names in football, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba, and Erling Haaland, becoming one of the most influential figures in the business. His death in April 2022, at 54, shocked the football world and left a void that seemed impossible to fill.
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Raiola’s passing surprised many, leaving his family and business partners to adapt to a new reality quickly. Enzo Raiola, Mino’s cousin and business partner, recalled the overwhelming difficulty of restructuring the operation while mourning the loss of such a central figure. “His passing had been completely unexpected,” Enzo shared with BBC Sport. “We didn’t think we would need to reorganize everything while grieving—it was tough.” Despite the emotional strain, the Raiola family was forced to act swiftly to ensure the continuation of the business that Mino had built from the ground up.
Mino’s legacy was built on the foundation of early transfer deals, including Pavel Nedved’s move to Juventus and Dennis Bergkamp’s transfer to Arsenal. Later, blockbuster deals such as Haaland’s move to Borussia Dortmund and Pogba’s return to Manchester United solidified Raiola’s reputation as one of the most successful agents in the history of football. Enzo recalls that even during Mino’s final moments, the business could not afford to stop, with the family working tirelessly to secure the operation’s future. “We had to restructure and react to everything,” Enzo said. “All while I was going to the hospital for Mino’s final moments.”
After Mino’s death, Enzo, alongside Mino’s trusted scout, Jose Fortes Rodriguez, took charge of Team Raiola. The new operation was formed to honor Mino’s legacy while adapting to the modern demands of the football industry. “Mino wouldn’t let anyone step over him,” Enzo reflected. “He would battle in negotiations or even just in a hotel lobby to get the right room. He had two strikingly different sides to his personality.” Mino was known for his fierce competitiveness in negotiations, yet he showed a deep sense of compassion and humanity toward his players behind the scenes.
One key challenge in continuing Raiola’s work was maintaining the family-like dynamic that Mino had built with his clients. Integral to Raiola’s operation, Enzo and Rodriguez were determined to preserve that intimacy while expanding the business. Team Raiola now represents a new generation of football stars, including Gianluigi Donnarumma, Ryan Gravenberch, and Micky van de Ven. The group is committed to using modern tools, such as data analytics and media rights, to stay competitive in the evolving world of football representation.
The legacy of Mino Raiola continues to influence the next generation of football agents and players. His power to spot raw talent and his uncompromising attitude in negotiations are qualities that have been passed down to his successors. Enzo reflects on how Mino had a unique ability to spot potential in players others might overlook, such as the case with van de Ven, whom Mino insisted on signing despite initial doubts. “Mino called me and said, ‘I have spotted an outstanding player in the Dutch second division at Volendam.’ I said, ‘This is not the level of players that we look at,’ but Mino insisted I took a look,” Enzo recalls. “It only took me 20 minutes to see enough about the speed and confidence he was playing with.”
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Raiola’s influence also extends to players like Ryan Gravenberch and Justin Kluivert, with Rodriguez recalling how he recognized Gravenberch’s potential when the midfielder was just a teenager at Ajax. “When I first saw him at Ajax, I fell completely in love with his talents,” Rodriguez said. “I was like, ‘Wow, wow, wow.’ When he was 14 or 15, I kept telling him he could be one of the best players in the world.” Gravenberch’s growth under Raiola’s guidance, along with Kluivert’s career at the top level, serves as a testament to Mino’s vision for developing young talent.
As Team Raiola continues to grow and evolve, Mino Raiola’s legacy remains a guiding force in the world of football representation. Enzo and his team are determined to uphold Mino’s values while embracing the industry’s future, ensuring that the super agent’s influence continues to be felt for years to come.
