A significant change in football over the last few decades is the increasing role of agents. Renowned agents command fees of up to €10 million for top-tier deals and frequently play a pivotal role in shaping players’ decisions regarding their next club.
Despite their substantial influence, many of these agents remain largely behind the scenes and unknown to the general public. Here’s a curated list of the top ten most influential agents in football today.
1. Jorge Mendes
Jorge Mendes is undeniably one of the most influential agents in the world of football and he represents a vast majority of top-tier players globally with a career that spans over three decades.
Mendes has been the mastermind behind every major move of Cristiano Ronaldo, a prime example of his status in the business. While he primarily focuses on Portuguese talent, his expertise extends to orchestrating the transfers of numerous international stars.
Jorge Mendes a été entendu hier par la justice espagnoles, soupçonné d’avoir aidé ses clients à dissimuler plusieurs M€ au fisc. pic.twitter.com/2yuWvR4n6S
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) June 28, 2017
Famous clients include Ángel Di María and Radamel Falcao, as well as more recent stars like Rafael Leão (AC Milan) and Ederson (Manchester City). In Portugal, the list seems endless but familiar names include Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Fabio Vieira (Arsenal), and Pedro Neto (Wolverhampton).
His agency, GestiTufe, is without a doubt the most powerful player agency in the world today.
2. Mino Raiola
Mino Raiola was the eternal rival of Jorge Mendes but sadly passed away two years ago. Despite his absence, Raiola’s players’ agency remains active and continues to influence the football world.
Raiola was famous for representing numerous high-profile players, including Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, French star Paul Pogba and Swedish icon Zlatan Ibrahimović. There is no doubt about Raiola’s excellence as an agent. He seemed to be everywhere like his rival Jorge Mendes.
Football agent Mino Raiola has passed away aged 54, his family have announced.
RIP. pic.twitter.com/SdSKUoiJux
— GOAL (@goal) April 30, 2022
Where Mino Raiola was different was in his distinctive approach to public appearances. Raiola was a vocal advocate for his players’ rights, often using his platform to speak out on their behalf. Furthermore, he was known for his aggressive negotiation style, making him a formidable force in transfer dealings and a nightmare for many clubs to negotiate with.
3. Jonathan Barnett
While Jorge Mendes and Mino Raiola were renowned for their international influence across the entire continent, Jonathan Barnett has carved out a distinct niche by focusing on the UK. Some of the prominent players he represents include Jack Grealish (Manchester City) and Gareth Bale (ex-Real Madrid).
Jonathan Barnett is getting a huge pay-day this summer. Konaté done. Grealish close with JWP going to Villa. Edouard close. Camavinga & Saúl 🔜. 6 big money moves for his clients which he warned people about in March.
He’s entered the Raiola/Mendes/Joorabchian super-agent realm. pic.twitter.com/gEP4rU0SD4
— Raj Chohan (@rajsinghchohan) June 25, 2021
Just like Raiola, Barnett has often appeared in public advocating for the rights of his clients. He’s undoubtedly one of the most influential figures when it comes to player representation in the UK football scene, especially in the Premier League.
4. Pini Zahavi
One of the agents who grew in popularity in the last two years is Pini Zahavi, known for securing deals not only in Europe but also in the Middle East. As an Israeli, he has been instrumental in connecting the two regions.
Joan Laporta has an ace up his sleeve for Neymar Jr’s return in 2025: the ‘super agent’ Pini Zahavi.
— @sport pic.twitter.com/LXpXiaWs26
— Johnson Kingsley (@KezysmithDigita) October 2, 2024
Zahavi first became known to the public due to his involvement in Neymar’s move to Paris Saint-Germain, which remains the most expensive in football history. For Barcelona fans, he is a familiar figure as he secured Robert Lewandowski’s move from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid.
5. Volker Struth
Volker Struth is the go-to agent for deals involving German players and the Bundesliga, similar to Barnett’s role in the UK. He has represented Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos, as well as Dayot Upamecano and Timo Werner.
Volker Struth is known for many things. Being a top Football Agent is one of them. He is known to have represented a lot of top German Professionals, including Toni Kroos.
Our #AgentSpotlight today is on him.#AgentSpotlight #FIFAAgent pic.twitter.com/tGfFH2MjSd— The Ball Business (@Ballbusiness_) August 21, 2024
In recent years, Volker’s agency, Sports Total, has broadened its footprint across the European market, actively pursuing deals beyond German borders.
Despite this expansion, there is no agent who comprehensively grasps the intricacies and tendencies of German football quite like Volker Struth – which is why he’s more famous in Germany than abroad.
6. Kia Joorabchian
Kia Joorabchian is known across the globe, as he has brought multiple promising talents from South America to the European market.
Philippe Coutinho remains the most famous example, but Joorabchian has also worked on many deals that involve lower-tier football, as he spots talents in South America similarly to a regular football scout. He jas consistently been uncovering hidden gems in South America that European elites seek for their affordability and potential.
Football super agent Kia Joorabchian targets racing’s ‘top level’ with £7m splurge on two horses https://t.co/M897bFsmLY pic.twitter.com/4MZY5NbhN7
— Turbo Leaks (@TurboLeaks) October 10, 2024
In addition to his significant impact in South America, Kia Joorabchian has been equally influential in England, having secured high-profile deals in the Premier League. Many clubs recognize him as a skilled negotiator, explaining why they trust his expertise to navigate complex negotiations and secure favourable terms.
7. Fernando Felicevich
Similarly to Kia Joorabchian, Felicevich is known for his involvement in the Southern American and European markets. However, Felicevich has a stronger focus on Chile, where he has successfully managed the careers of stars like Alexis Sánchez and Arturo Vidal, two Chileans who became stars in Europe.
Communication isn’t particularly easy between the two continents, and this is where Felicevich built his foundations. In addition to his representation roles, Felicevich also serves as a scout, identifying and nurturing talent much like Kia Joorabchian does.
8. Giovanni Branchini
Giovanni Branchini already classifies as a veteran agent, having been active in the industry for several decades. He handled the cases of Douglas Costa and Gabriel Batistuta.
Branchini’s focuses on Serie A which means that many transfers in this league go either through him or his agency, GB Management. Clubs trust him due to his understanding of different club methodologiess combined with the expertise he has gained throughout the years.
The first pic of Teun #Koopmeiners after the signing for #Juventus. Contract until 2029. Deal completed by the agent Bart Baving and the intermediary Giovanni Branchini. #transfers pic.twitter.com/riU8dbOhmu
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) August 28, 2024
It’s not rare for clubs to see agents as a problem. However, this isn’t the case for Branchini, who enjoys a positive reputation across Italy.
9. Paul Stretford
Paul Stretford is also known in the Premier League like Jonathan Barnett. He famously handled the cases of Harry Maguire and Wayne Rooney.
His extensive career allows him to negotiate lucrative contracts for his clients, which is one of his main reputations.
His primary focus is on securing favourable deals, and few agents in the UK’s Premier League have represented as many prestigious players as he has.
10. David Mannaseh
David Mannaseh might not be as widely recognized as Barnett, but he helped in creating the Stellar Group agency. Mannaseh focuses on football in the UK and represents several high-profile players, with Ben Chilwell and Callum Wilson being his most famous clients.
He’s popular among players for his comprehensive career advice and his ability to negotiate better contracts tailored to each client’s individual career aspirations.
