FOOTBALL AGENT MINO Raiola shot back on Thursday at widespread media claims that he had died at the age of 54, taking to Twitter to say he was angered by the reports.
Reports of the death of Raiola, whose clients include Paul Pogba and one of world football’s current hottest properties, Erling Braut Haaland, quickly spread from Italy.
It was the second time this year that speculation surrounding his health has been denied by Raiola or his entourage.
“Current health status for the ones wondering: pissed off second time in 4 months they kill me. Seem also able to ressuscitate (sic),” Raiola’s official Twitter account said.
Current health status for the ones wondering: pissed off second time in 4 months they kill me. Seem also able to ressuscitate.
— Mino Raiola (@MinoRaiola) April 28, 2022
Raiola’s agency had earlier told AFP that reports of his death were “fake news” after Italian media widely claimed that he had passed away.
The Gazzetta Dello Sport, Italy’s most prestigious sports daily, even published an obituary for Raiola, who was born in southern Italy but raised in the Netherlands.
When asked by AFP whether the reports were true, Raiola’s agency said: “Mino is not dead, the stories are fake news”.
The agency would not reveal Raiola’s whereabouts nor whether he was sick.
Italian news agency ANSA quoted Alberto Zangrillo, the head of the intensive care unit at the San Raffaele hospital just outside Milan, as suggesting that Raiola was fighting for his life.
“I am outraged by phone calls from pseudo-journalists who are speculating on the life of a man who is fighting,” Zangrillo said.
Raiola, whose clients also include AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, is one of the sport’s most influential agents and most controversial characters.
He has been accused of inflating player salaries to unsustainable levels and has been embroiled in controversy over commissions made on transfers.
In 2016, former Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta said Raiola earned 27 million euros ($28.3 million) from the sale of France international Pogba from Juventus to Manchester United that summer.
Football Leaks claimed that Raiola had received 49 million euros from three parties in the then world record 105 million-euro transfer.
He was taken to a local hospital were he was pronounced dead, he was then taken to a better hospital where doctors upgraded his health to alive
@colm connolly: classic kent!
@colm connolly: Well if it isn’t my old friend Mr. Raiola — with a leg for an arm and an arm for a leg
He’s the picture of health shur….
@Gerry campbell: he’s just a victim of circumference…
I bet He’d be really peed off if it was true..
Just waiting for an update from his agent
Ya can’t just go around callin lads dead when they’re not.
@Billy Davies: excellent analysis
@Billy Davies: you’re dead right
@Gerard Ryan: Currently negotiating with St. Peter & Satan. Whoever pays him 30% commission…
@Del McG: where are ye going with 30%??
Single handedly ruined modern football
So Rumours of his demise are greatly exaggerated?
@Tom Leddy: unlike rumours of de size…
@Paddy Kennedy:
Well it’s supposed to be a good thing if you’re reported to have died the rumour in Ireland is that you will never die
Apparently Mino died and met the grim reaper who found out that he had 4 previously unknown complex clauses in his death contract, and the devil would have to pay Mino millions, including a percentage of the fuel costs in keeping hell warm.
Fantastic agent for players, awful agent for clubs.
But how was he able to tweet from beyond the grave? Thoughts and prayers to his family and social media team at this difficult time.
@Michael O Brien The Lord DID spare him….it worked!!
The cancer of football, single-handedly caused a massive inflation in prices. Bet Man City are hoping he kicks the bucket
Pity he wouldn’t