For example, Matthijs de Ligt takes the time on Sunday evening to respond to the death of his representative. The defender writes: “I’m actually not ready to write this message at all and don’t know if I ever will be. This is too early for us players, for your family, but most of all for yourself. You still had so many dreams, and so many things to do.” The defender also looks back on what Raiola meant to him. “Sometimes I thought you were crazy if you told me your plans, but in the end you were always right. You knew how the world worked. You called us your ‘sons’, and now it’s our turn to take care of the most important thing: your family.”
Major European football clubs such as Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Internazionale and AC Milan expressed their condolences on Twitter. “A charismatic sports agent passed away today after an illness. The club, through its chairman, expresses its condolences to his family and friends,” said the Parisian top club PSG.
Mario Balotelli has also reacted to the death of the agent. “You will always be with me in life and in football. Your help, advice, jokes and strategies will always remain in my head. I love you and will always love you like a second father. I know that you will always be present in our lives from above. Have a nice trip Mino.”
Mino Railo with one of his clients Mario Balotelli.
ANP/HH
Mark van Bommel also reflects on Raiola’s death. The Dutchman was guided as a player and as a trainer by ‘the best agent in the world’. “A phenomenon,” writes Van Bommel on Instagram. “It is indescribable what you have done for me and our family. Not just at the negotiating table, your advice on all sorts of things other than football was always good and smart. The support during my first game for AC Milan. In the dressing room, before and after the game, and during the warm-up on the field… Only you can do that!”
Raiola, born in Italy but raised in Haarlem, was one of the most influential players’ agents in the world. He was the agent of famous football players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Erling Haaland, Paul Pogba, Matthijs de Ligt and other Dutch internationals such as Denzel Dumfries, Donyell Malen, Ryan Gravenberch and Owen Wijndal. He also looked after the interests of Ajax players Noussair Mazraoui and Brian Brobbey.
PSV also responded via Twitter. “PSV is very shocked by the death of agent Mino Raiola. We wish his loved ones, family and friends strength in the loss and thank him for what he has done for our club and many of our players. Rest in peace Mino.” The KNVB also reacted shocked. “We wish the relatives a lot of strength with this loss.”
Norwegian striker Haaland, one of today’s most sought-after players, posted a photo of him with Raiola on his Instagram account as a tribute. “The best,” was the short caption. Previously, his father Alfie, who is also involved in the contract negotiations, had done the same. Haaland scored a hat-trick for Borussia Dortmund against VfL Bochum on Saturday.