EXCLUSIVE: Haaland & Pogba’s agent Pimenta on being ‘the queen of the transfer market by Pablo Gallego – Flashscore
With Erling Haaland, Paul Pogba, and Matthijs de Ligt as clients, Rafaela Pimenta is one of the most influential agents in the football world. In this exclusive interview with Flashscore, she shares insights into her life, her collaboration with the late Mino Raiola, and her perspective on women in football business.
Introduction to Rafaela Pimenta
Pablo Gallego: Hello Rafaela, it’s a great honour to talk to you. Major newspapers often describe you as a ‘shadow agent.’ You have a degree in international law from São Paulo and have been in the football world for two decades. Meeting Mino Raiola was a defining moment for you. Can you tell us about your beginnings and how you teamed up with Raiola?
Rafaela Pimenta: Hello Pablo, thank you for your words. My background makes me smile because things happened by chance. I have a law degree and was teaching international law in Brazil when a friend invited me to work with him in football. He needed someone knowledgeable about laws and contracts. I agreed to meet a client, which turned out to be a company owned by Rivaldo and Cesar Sampaio. Mino Raiola was involved, and that’s where I met him. Despite our initial disagreements on Brazilian football law, he later contacted me for collaboration, appreciating my honesty.
Career Highlights
Pablo Gallego: How did your partnership with Mino Raiola evolve?
Pimenta: Mino found me when I was working for the Brazilian government. He respected my honesty and wanted my help. Despite my government job, we started working together. My first assignment was an unexpected player transfer to Argentina, which taught me the complexities of football deals. Over time, our professional relationship grew, leading to significant successes.
Philosophy on Agency Work
Pablo Gallego: You’ve been described as discreet compared to Raiola’s exuberance. Can you elaborate on your approach?
Pimenta: My legal training emphasized discretion and confidentiality. As agents, we must prioritize our clients’ interests and maintain a defensive mindset. Players often face overexposure, and it’s our job to manage their public image. I believe agents should stay in the background, ensuring everything runs smoothly for the players.
Challenges and Successes
Pablo Gallego: What challenges did you face in establishing your credibility?
Pimenta: Gaining respect and being heard took time. Initially, people bypassed me to seek Mino’s approval. Overcoming this required persistence and delivering results. Despite these challenges, we celebrated many professional and personal successes.
Changing Perceptions of Agents
Pablo Gallego: You’ve spoken about redefining the agent’s role. Can you elaborate?
Pimenta: Agents should support, not control, players. Our mission is to empower players to be independent and informed about their careers. I aim for a human relationship, avoiding dependency, where players know their finances and career status. This approach elevates the profession and benefits society.
A Day in the Life of Rafaela Pimenta
Pablo Gallego: Describe a typical week for you.
Pimenta: There’s no typical week! I travel extensively, like arriving in Bucharest at 3 AM and heading to Munich for the Euro opening. Plans often change, but flexibility and preparedness are crucial in this dynamic job.
Conclusion
Rafaela Pimenta’s career, marked by her discretion, legal expertise, and dedication to her clients, continues to influence the football world. Her partnership with late Mino Raiola and commitment to player empowerment highlight her unique approach to sports management.
This article was based on an exclusive interview with Rafaela Pimenta by Pablo Gallego. For more detailed insights, visit Flashscore.
