Erling Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta reveals why she admired Mino Raiola

Rafaela Pimenta was catapulted into the limelight following the death of globally recognised super-agent Mino Raiola.

Before now, Pimenta worked somewhat below the radar, despite being the business partner of Raiola for more than 20 years.

After the Italian businessman passed, the agency was entrusted into her hands.

Pimenta is a lawyer and is classed as sport's 'best kept secret' as very little is commonly known about her or her work.

So much so, that she doesn't even have her own Wikipedia page. But the 49-year-old from Brazil is one of, if not the most powerful woman in football.

Pimenta worked alongside Raiola at the agency, but since his death, she has taken the reins and has already secured blockbuster moves for their high profile players.

She orchestrated the transfer of Erling Haaland to Manchester City and Paul Pogba to Juventus, among others.

Rafaela Pimenta: “Pogba to Juve happened in April, when Arrivabene and Nedved came to Monte Carlo, I told them: why don't you sign Pogba? And they said: 'Sure! Would he come?" And I said: 'Let's call him'. He was happy. He cares about Juve. He loves Juve and he loves Italy.” pic.twitter.com/ZQkXPbzzwC

It was not a job she ever thought she would have to do alone, but she knew time would not stand still after Raiola's death at just 54 years of age.

"Never in my life [did I] imagine Mino not being here. How many times, since then, have I picked up my phone to message him or call him?" she reflected during an interview with The Telegraph.

"And Mino being Mino, he had to do this when the [transfer] market starts! I walked directly from his funeral to the office because I did not expect the universe to stop.

"I was maybe going through something that should put my life on hold