After an early death: "The most important person who nobody knows" takes over Raiola's job
Created: 06/25/2022, 12:49 p.m
By: Marius Epp
Rafaela Pimenta, advisor to numerous superstars in football.
© Screenshot Twitter/Antonello Viola
Mino Raiola, arguably the most influential player agent in the world, has recently passed away.
Now a woman is taking over the business - and she is no less notorious.
Monaco - Powerful people don't always strive for fame.
Many prefer to exercise their influence in the background - one such person is Rafaela Pimenta.
Almost nobody knows her name, but she still plays an important role in the football business.
The Brazilian lawyer and ex-soccer player was long the right hand of the powerful player agent Mino Raiola and worked with him for a total of 18 years.
After the death of the star consultant at the end of April, she now heads his consulting agency "One", with which numerous world stars such as Erling Haaland, Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are under contract.
Rafaela Pimenta feared by sporting directors: 'toughest negotiator in football'
Football magazine
The Athletic
portrays Pimenta extensively.
The law professor was already leading important negotiations before Raiola's death - and is apparently feared by the clubs.
An unnamed sporting director told
The Athletic
: "She's the most important person in football that nobody knows."
Pimenta is also "the toughest negotiator in football".
In the past she worked for the Brazilian antitrust authority and was apparently already known there for her rigorous approach.
She largely negotiated the transfers of Ryan Gravenberch and Noussair Mazraoui from Ajax Amsterdam to FC Bayern and the move from Erling Haaland to Manchester City herself, since her boss in the Milan hospital was already feeling unwell.
The Raiola heiress: "Aunt Rafa" takes over the consulting agency
As Raiola's heir, she now continues to run his business, which must be nothing short of a mammoth task.
Raiola built up a close relationship of trust with his players.
But pimenta also seems to have similar qualities on a personal level.
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In the new Amazon documentary about Paul Pogba ("The Pogmentary"), several scenes show how important Pimenta is for the soccer star.
He calls her "Aunt Rafa" and treats her almost like family.
In the documentary, she makes her first public appearance.
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As Raiola's heir, she will probably have to give up her life as a "shadow woman" in the future.
However, it is doubtful whether it will be as omnipresent as its predecessor - because that is not so easy.
(epp)
