The football world bids farewell to Mino Raiola.
Probably the most influential player advisor in Europe died on Saturday at the age of 54. At his funeral in the Saint Charles Church on Thursday in Monaco, a number of stars paid their last respects.
Including Dortmund’s Raiola protégé Erling Haaland (21). Photos of the funeral show the BVB striker with a braid, a black suit and a sad expression. A visibly difficult walk for the Norwegian, who not only lost his advisor in Raiola, but also a close confidant.
Haaland spoke up after the death was announced with an emotional farewell post: a photo in which he and Raiola hug each other warmly while both grin happily at the camera. The BVB star wrote in English and with a red heart: “The best”.
Before his death, Raiola is said to have prepared Haaland’s likely move in the summer.
At the private funeral ceremony for Raiola’s family and closest friends, superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic (40) also mourned his friend and adviser. The Swede is even said to have sat on Raiola’s deathbed. The PSG stars Gianlugi Donnarumma (23) and Marco Verrati (29) or the Czech Juventus legend Pavel Nedved (49) were there in Monaco.
Raiola had handled countless mega deals in his career as a consultant, earning a reputation as a tough negotiating partner. Last year, the financial magazine “Forbes” estimated Raiola’s fortune at over 70 million euros.
His death shocked the football world last weekend. Raiola lost a battle with an undisclosed illness after undergoing emergency surgery in January.
