The news of his disappearance spread very quickly in the early afternoon. The death of Mino Raiola, one of the most influential agents in the world of football, was announced by journalist Tancredi Palmeri, as well as by the transalpine sports newspapers Tuttosport and Gazzetta dello Sport. But the information was quickly denied by his relatives. First by his right arm, José Fortes Rodriguez, who explained to NOS media that the Italian-Dutch was in critical condition, but still alive. Then, by a doctor from San Raffaele Hospital in Milan.
“I am outraged by the phone calls from pseudo-journalists who speculate on the life of a man who is fighting,” said the head of the intensive care unit, Alberto Zangrillo, in remarks reported by the Ansa agency. The agent’s Twitter account also posted a message: “Current health status for those wondering: pissed that they killed me for the second time in four months. Also, it looks like I’m able to resurrect.”
In addition to Tuttosport and La Gazzetta dello Sport, which has since returned to this information, several other media announced the death of the agent in the minutes that followed. Real Madrid had also posted on its Twitter account a message of condolence signed by the management of the Spanish club. The post was later deleted.
Health concerns announced in January
In January, Mino Raiola was hospitalized in Milan, the Gazzetta dello Sport referring to an emergency operation. The Bild newspaper had mentioned lung problems. “Mino Raiola was subjected to ordinary medical checks which required anesthesia. These are scheduled checks, there was no emergency intervention, ”explained the agent’s entourage via his Twitter account.
Former manager of a pizzeria and a McDonald’s in the Netherlands, the man has built one of the finest stables of players in the world and is considered one of the most powerful agents in the world. Mino Raiola built his notoriety in the middle by managing the career of Dennis Bergkamp then Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whom he took under his wing when the Swede was playing for Ajax Amsterdam. The agent then defended the interests of French world champions Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi, from Italian star Mario Balotelli. He also became the representative of Borussia Dortmund wonderkid, Norwegian Erling Haaland.
In France, Mino Raiola has also forged strong ties with Paris Saint-Germain. Close to the Parisian sporting director Leonardo, he is the middle agent Marco Verratti and the goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Besides Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Blaise Matuidi, he is the agent of two former players of the club, the Brazilian Maxwell, and the Dutch Gregory Van der Wiel and Mitchel Bakker. Renowned for being a ruthless negotiator, Mino Raiola has racked up more than 80 million euros in commission during his career, according to Forbes.