How did a pizza waiter from Haarlem become one of football's most influential figures? This is the story of Mino Raiola, the super-agent who transformed the football transfer market, and his successor, Rafaela Pimenta.
In this episode, Simon and Mehreen explore the extraordinary career of Mino Raiola and his business partner, Rafaela Pimenta. From his early days working in his family's pizzeria to becoming the agent for stars like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba, and Erling Haaland, this is the tale of how an outsider revolutionised football's transfer market through wit, work ethic, and an uncanny ability to see where the game was heading.
This episode reveals how Raiola's pizzeria mentality of personal service shaped his approach to representing players, his complex relationship with football's establishment, and how he built the most powerful agency in modern football.
Time stamps:
0:00: Introduction and background
03:40: Early life in Haarlem and the family pizzeria
08:22: Entry into football and first deals
15:44: Meeting Zlatan Ibrahimovic
21:33: Partnership with Rafaela Pimenta
27:16: Building the perfect agency
34:55: The Pogba transfer saga
42:18: Managing player careers and investments
48:37: Battles with clubs and FIFA
54:29: Legacy and influence on modern football
59:13: Rafaela Pimenta takes the reins
1:05:42: The future of football agencies
1:11:27: Final thoughts on Raiola's impact
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