Sports
Mino Raiola, one of the great soccer agents, dies at the age of 54
The family of the representative of players like Haaland, Ibrahimovic and Pogba pays tribute to Raiola: "Mino fought until the very end"
April 30, 2022 11:34am
Updated: April 30, 2022 12:06pm
The famous agent Mino Raiola has died at the age of 54 after a battle with a serious illness since January. Raiola was fighting for his life in a Milan hospital, as the digital media in Italy reported his death last Thursday. The first medium to break the news was the Italian television TG La 7.
The Italian-born manager was one of soccer's most powerful and highest-earning agents after nearly three decades in the role. His clients include Erling Haaland, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marco Verratti, Matthijs de Ligt and Mario Balotelli.
Dr. Alberto Zangrillo, from Milan's San Raffaele hospital, told the Ansa news agency on Thursday that Raiola was "fighting for his life." He spoke after multiple reports claiming Raiola had died, prompting a post from his official Twitter account stating that he was still alive.
However, this Saturday, a statement from the family in the account confirmed Raiola's death, although the date or cause of death was not given. "It is with infinite sorrow that we share the passing of the most loving and incredible soccer agent that has ever existed," the post read.
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— Mino Raiola (@MinoRaiola) April 30, 2022
"Mino fought to the end with the same strength that he put on the negotiating tables to defend our players. As always, Mino made us proud without realizing it. Mino touched so many lives with his work and wrote a new chapter in the history of modern football. His presence will be missed forever. Mino's mission to make football a better place for players will continue with the same passion."
