Raiola: 'I created the transfer market'

By Football Italia staff

Agent Mino Raiola described the transfer market as a theatrical production that he “created,” but is now pushing for a “revolution” against FIFA and "this form of human trafficking."

The representative of players including Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Matthijs de Ligt is never one to shy away from controversy and made several headlines in his interview with Belgian site Sport/Voetbalmagazine.

“It’s January 1, the theatre opens, the curtain rises and the show can start. But behind the scenes, the main actors are already busy with rehearsals for half the year. It is the same way for us,” said Raiola.

“For example, with Erling Haaland, I was working on that for almost a year. His father is closely involved. I spoke to a number of clubs, listened to plans, saw numbers and negotiated them. This way, Erling could make a well-advised decision.”

While many accuse Raiola of ruining the game with his style of negotiating and urging players to make repeated moves, he is very proud of his role.

“I don’t want to come across as arrogant, but I think that I created this market. Football became a show and entertainment. I invented the football market in the 25 years I’ve been active. It’s a gigantic industry by now, which I shaped by never shutting my mouth and always taking a stand for my players.”

When it comes to the Football Leaks allegation that Raiola could earn €49m in various commission fees for Pogba’s return to Manchester United in 2016, the agent remains bullish.

“I didn’t threaten anyone at Manchester United with a gun to bring back Paul Pogba. It’s always about the Pogba deal again, because my friends from the FIFA did not give a damn about the data protection act to influence the public opinion.

“It’s very strange that it’s always about my earnings, but you don’t hear anything from the FIFA, when Ajax receive €150m for two boys (De Ligt to Juventus and Frenkie de Jong to Barcelona). Then this is great and Ajax have done well.”

Raiola outlined plans to break away from FIFA, so clubs and agents can work independently of the world football body, something he calls a “corrupt monopoly with incompetent leaders.

“FIFA is done, the old system is over. This is the start of a new era, we are at the foundation stages. It’s time for a revolution.”

His plans seem to go even further than those of the Football Agents Forum, which Raiola founded with Jorge Mendes, Jonathan Barnett and others.

“If it was up to me, we’d abolish the current transfer system immediately. We’d get a share of players’ earnings and if we abolish the system, clubs have more money for players, I think. This transfer system is a form of human trafficking.”

Watch Serie A live in the UK on Premier Sports for just £9.99 per month including live LaLiga, Eredivisie, Scottish Cup Football and more. Visit: https://www.premiersports.com/subscribenow