Mino Raiola’s stable of footballing superstars will be put into the hands of the late agent’s cousin and a Brazilian lawyer following his tragic death, aged 54.
On Saturday, a statement from the super-agent’s family confirmed that Raiola had passed away, just days after Italian reports had prematurely reported his death. "In infinite sorrow, we share the passing of the most caring and amazing football agent that ever was,” the update from the Raiola family read.
"Mino fought until the end with the same strength he put on negotiation tables to defend our players. As usual, Mino made us proud and never realised it. Mino touched so many lives through his work and wrote a new chapter in the history of modern football. His presence will forever be missed.
"Mino's mission of making football a better place for players will continue with the same passion. We thank everybody for the huge amount of support received during these difficult times and ask for respect to the privacy of family and friends in this moment of grief."
The Italian-Dutch agent was one of the most prominent and well known figures in world football and represented some of the game’s most high-profile players including the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Erling Haaland.
Pogba and Haaland have both paid their own personal tributes to Raiola, who helped negotiate their most recent transfers to Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund respectively. The two look set to be on the move again this summer, with Pogba out of contract at Old Trafford and Haaland’s release clause coming into effect.
Raiola had laid the groundwork for potential transfers this summer, after making clear Pogba was likely to not agree to a new contract and meeting prospective suitors for his Norwegian client.
According to a report in Brazil, Raiola’s clients will now work with his cousin Vincenzo Raiola and lawyer Rafaela Pimenta. The latter is said to have been Mino’s closest confidante for a number of years and is known for having an “intense and direct” image in negotiations.
Rafaela has reportedly already built up a relationship with Pogba and will now work to get him the best possible move when his deal expires at the end of the season. Manchester Evening News previously reported that the Monaco-based lawyer was in near daily contact with the Frenchman and noted she would even handle his social media accounts and organise his travel arrangements.
She also played a key role in the negotiations which saw home return to United in 2016, helping to insert image rights into the £89m transfer. Meanwhile, Vincenzo - also known as Enzo - has previously been in charge of the players based in Italy and as such, has built a close relationship with a number of managers in Serie A.
