Soccer super agent Mino Raiola dies aged 54
“In infinite sorrow we share the passing of the most caring and amazing Football Agent that ever was,” the family statement said.
“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 realized it.”
No cause of death was announced in the statement posted by the Raiola family on Saturday.
“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,” it added.
“Mino’s mission of making football a better place for players will continue with the same passion.”
Despite his success, Raiola was a controversial figure with some unhappy with his outspoken nature and for the amount of money he demanded for players he represented.
“So I am not here to be loved and liked by everybody. I am here to be loved by my family and by my players.”
Raiola was born in Italy but grew up in Holland, where he started working in his family’s restaurant.
From there, he began a career in a world he would eventually begin to shape, going on to become one of the most well-known and recognizable agents in soccer.
