Rafaela Pimenta on her consulting job

The most powerful woman in football should not be missing: Rafaela Pimenta (51).

The Brazilian lawyer took over the empire of Mino Raiola (1967-2022) just over a year ago. Until his death, he ran the consulting agency One together with Pimenta.

They always complemented each other perfectly, Pimenta has said repeatedly recently. He was the heart and she the head of the company. The Italian-Dutchman liked to be in the spotlight, while she mostly preferred anonymity. Hardly any interviews, no loud appearances. That is why, after Raiola’s death, she was often described as a mysterious heiress and as media-shy.

The comparison with the supermarket

Since then, Pimenta has been able to shed this image of herself. The five languages ​​she speaks fluently have helped her in this. Several interviews and public appearances, such as on Tuesday at the vernissage for the Golden Boy Award 2023 by “Tuttosport”, are testament to this.

In Milan, she first spoke about her job for half an hour at a panel discussion. She then spent a long time in the company of journalists, joking and taking selfies, before flying on a private jet to Norway for a match.

Pimenta sees her job as something quite everyday. But it’s not just about signing contracts. She compares her service to that of a supermarket. “Sometimes you need meat. Other times you need milk. We have to have just as wide a range. We offer every player as many services as we can,” she explains. Two topics are particularly relevant here: social media and legal services.

“The Preventer of Disasters”

Rafaela Pimenta gives an example of the latter. “One of my players once bought a house. But it was in the sea. That means it didn’t even exist and he lost all the money.” He came to her and asked for advice. Of course, she doesn’t know everything either. “You have to be aware of that as an advisor. But we have to be so well connected that we can offer the player contacts that he can then rely on.”

Pimenta maintains a warm, almost motherly relationship with her players. Players such as Erling Haaland (23) and Paul Pogba (31) sometimes invite her to family gatherings.

She recently told the sports website “The Athletic” that she is often asked whether she is actually an agent or a nanny. “You could also call my job a nanny, but I call myself a disaster preventer. I have to be that and deliver what the player needs in a given situation.”

Honesty as the highest commandment

Recruiting a new client takes at least six months, but can take up to two years, explains Pimenta. “It’s about getting to know each other and opening up to the player at the same time.” If a deal is signed, she always plans her players’ careers and development three to five years in advance. Honesty is always the top priority.

Pimenta is honest when asked who she thinks will be the next football star. “Arda Güler from Fenerbahce,” she says without hesitation. The 18-year-old Turk has played his way from the streets onto Europe’s wish lists.

He is not yet represented by Pimenta. But that should change soon. After all, she wants to continue the empire she built with Mino Raiola at least as successfully. And for that, she needs the best players.

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Who is Rafaela Pimenta

Rafaela Pimenta is a Brazilian football agent and former lawyer, recognized as one of the first female “super-agents” in the football industry.

She worked closely with the renowned agent Mino Raiola for 18 years and inherited his clientele after his passing in 2022. Her roster includes high-profile players such as Erling Haaland and Paul Pogba.

Before her career in football management, Rafaela Pimenta studied law at the University of São Paulo and served in the Brazilian government’s antitrust division under President Fernando Henrique Cardoso.

Rafaela Pimenta met Raiola during a charity football match organized by former Brazilian internationals Rivaldo and César Sampaio, which led to their long-term professional partnership.

Following Raiola’s death, Pimenta took over his agency, One, and has been instrumental in negotiating significant deals, including Erling Haaland’s transfer to Manchester City in 2022.

Rafaela Pimenta is multilingual, speaking eight languages, and is known for her discretion and dedication to her clients.

You might find this interview with Rafaela Pimenta -Video

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