The world of soccer is filled with movers and shakers constantly overseeing contract deals for player transfers. The activities of these agents have seen some of them gain prominence – and make lots of cash. Most of the best and rather expensive players are on the clients’ list of the best football agents.
In this piece, we take a look at the arguably 20 best football agents in the world of Football who have handled the most lucrative deals as per Forbes.
(To digress a bit, you may be interested in understanding how to be a professional footballer, how football clubs make money, or how to make money from football without betting.)
1. Jonathan Barnett
The founder and chairman of ICM Stellar Sports is the top agent in the soccer world. He has made commissions from player sales reaching a total of $142.3 Million.
In 2013, Barnett masterminded the now-injury-prone Gareth Bale’s transfer from North London Club Tottenham Hotspurs to Real Madrid for £86 Million.
With that transfer deal, He raked in around £14 Million.
Other clients under Barnett’s agency include Luke Shaw, Saul Niguez, Ben Chilwell, Adam Lallana and Maxi Gomez.
Even though his very first client was not a footballer, Barnett has established fame in the Football world.
Barnet now has a long list of top players under his management. This further proves his status as one of the best football agents.
2. Jorge Mendes
Mendes represents one of the biggest names in football in Cristiano Ronaldo.
Some of Mendes’ other clients include David De Gea, Ederson, Ruben Neves, and James Rodriguez. In 1996, he founded his sports Agency, Gestifute, after a career as a DJ.
After overseeing contracts agreements worth up to $1 Billion, Mendes made $104 Million in commissions. His total client list stands at 137, a significant number of them being players from Portugal.
In addition, Jorge Mendes has a very healthy relationship with Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club in England.
The current manager, Nuno Espirito Santo was Mendes’s very first client and the club owners have a stake in Gestifute.
Undoubtedly, Mendez is one of the best football agents.
3. Mino Raiola
Raiola is one of the best football agents in football who pulls up the most controversial bidding wars.
As you may know, the Italian Super Agent has French International, Paul Pogba on his books. He oversaw the $140 Million move for Pogba to join Manchester United from Juventus in 2016.
Other players under his agency then include Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mario Ballotelli, Erling Haaland and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
In addition, Raiola has built a reputation for demanding huge commissions on player transfers, much to the distaste of top clubs. He has made over $84.7 Million in commissions already.
Although Raiola is very controversial, he remains one of the best and most powerful football agents available.
Sadly, Raiola passed away on 30th April 2022.
4 Volker Struth
Struth is Germany’s most renowned Soccer agent. He represents players like Toni Kroos, Dayot Upamecano, Niklas Sule, Marco Reus and Mario Gotze.
The ability to spot young talent before anyone else is Struth’s strong point. He has negotiated contracts worth over $418.1 Million with a client list of about 77 players.
5 Frank Trimboli
Trimboli is responsible for a lot of player contracts in England, Spain, and Italy. With a client list of around 180 players, he has raked in $29.6 Million in contract commissions.
James Maddison, Son Heung-Min, and Raphael Varane are some players under Trimboli’s agency.
Furthermore, after handling the transfer of Christian Eriksen from Tottenham Hotspurs to Inter Milan, Trimoboli expressed a desire to see more players move from the EPL to Serie A.
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6. Meissa N’Diaye
N’Diaye represents more than 30 players including Benjamin Mendy, Wissam Ben Yedder, and Michy Batshuayi.
The French Superagent has raked in $22.7 Million in commissions from player contracts. His agency, Sports Cover, is based in Paris, France.
Although N’diaye is not as popular as Mendes and Raiola, he has a good reputation amongst his peers.
7. Jose Otin
Jose has built a reputation for scouting Spanish players. He represents players like Kepa Arrizabalaga, Dani Ceballos, Pedro and Nacho Monreal.
Bahia International, Jose’s sports agency has also worked with Fernando Torres.
Jose has experience as a player and also as a pundit and is quite popular with Spanish clubs.
8. Pere Guardiola
Pere is the younger brother of Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola. He has slowly built a reputation as one of the best football agents.
As you can guess, Pere represents his own brother, Pep, one of the top-rated coaches in soccer. Luis Suarez and William Carvalho are two players he works with. Also, he worked with the Brazilian duo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
Furthermore, Pere founded Media Base Sports agency in 2009, with Jaume Roures. Their focus is working to pick up young promising players and help them out in all aspects of their careers.
9. Pini Zahavi
Pini Zahavi is an Israeli football agent known for his involvement in high-profile transfers and negotiations. With a career spanning several decades, Zahavi has left an indelible mark on the football world. His notable clients have included superstars like Neymar Jr., Rio Ferdinand, and Javier Mascherano.
Zahavi’s career highlights include orchestrating Neymar Jr.’s world-record transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain for a staggering €222 million. This historic transfer earned him substantial commissions and solidified his reputation as a top-tier football agent.
In addition to his remarkable client list, Zahavi is known for his intricate knowledge of the football industry, making him a formidable negotiator. His influence extends beyond individual player deals, as he has been involved in club takeovers and other significant football-related business transactions.
Despite some controversies in his career, Pini Zahavi’s impact on the football agent landscape is undeniable. His vast experience and track record of success make him one of the best football agents globally.
10. Kia Joorabchian
Kia Joorabchian is a football agent of Iranian descent who has played a pivotal role in several high-profile transfers and contract negotiations.
With a client list that includes Philippe Coutinho, Alex Teixeira, and Carlos Tevez, Joorabchian has earned a reputation as a go-to agent for top talent.
One of Joorabchian’s standout achievements was brokering Philippe Coutinho’s transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona for a reported fee of €120 million, making Coutinho one of the most expensive signings in football history. This deal significantly boosted Joorabchian’s profile and earnings.
Kia Joorabchian is known for his business acumen and ability to navigate complex transfer negotiations. He has been involved in numerous multi-million-dollar deals, and his client roster continues to grow.
While his approach has sometimes attracted scrutiny, there’s no denying Kia Joorabchian’s impact on the football agent landscape. He remains a prominent figure in the industry and continues to represent some of the sport’s brightest stars.
11. Federico Pastorello
Federico Pastorello is an Italian football agent recognized for his work with top-tier players across Europe. His client list includes Romelu Lukaku, Arturo Vidal, and Alessandro Bastoni, among others.
One of Pastorello’s notable achievements was facilitating Romelu Lukaku’s move from Manchester United to Inter Milan for a reported fee of €80 million.
This transfer marked a significant success for both Lukaku and Pastorello, and it highlighted Pastorello’s expertise in navigating complex negotiations.
With a career spanning over two decades, Federico Pastorello has earned a reputation for his professionalism and strong connections within the football industry. He has consistently secured lucrative deals for his clients and has played a crucial role in their career progression.
While not as widely known as some of his counterparts, Federico Pastorello’s impact on the football agent scene is undeniable.
His ability to secure high-value transfers and provide valuable guidance to his clients solidifies his position among the best football agents in the world.
12. Hasan Çetinkaya
Hasan Çetinkaya is a Turkish football agent who has made significant strides in the industry. His client list includes the likes of Alexander Sørloth, Ozan Kabak, and Caglar Soyuncu, all of whom have made successful transitions to top European clubs.
Çetinkaya’s most notable achievement was brokering Alexander Sørloth’s transfer from Crystal Palace to RB Leipzig, a move that showcased his ability to facilitate deals for emerging talents.
The transfer also demonstrated his knack for identifying promising players and guiding them to higher levels of competition.
As a representative of Turkish footballers on the global stage, Hasan Çetinkaya has established a strong presence in Europe. His agency, Çetinkaya Sports Management, continues to expand its portfolio of clients, and Çetinkaya himself remains dedicated to nurturing the careers of young talents.
While not as widely recognized as some other football agents, Hasan Çetinkaya’s impact on the industry, particularly in promoting Turkish talent, is commendable. His commitment to his clients and his ability to navigate the intricate world of football transfers make him one of the noteworthy figures among football agents.
13. Rachel Anderson
Rachel Anderson is a respected football agent who has gained prominence for her role in representing female footballers. Her client list includes stars like Lucy Bronze, Sam Kerr, and Tobin Heath, among others.
Anderson’s standout achievement was negotiating Lucy Bronze’s move from Olympique Lyonnais to Manchester City, making Bronze one of the highest-paid female footballers in the world.
This transfer showcased Anderson’s dedication to advancing the careers of female athletes and her ability to secure significant deals.
As a pioneer in women’s football representation, Rachel Anderson has played a vital role in bridging the gender gap in the industry.
She continues to advocate for equal opportunities for female players and strives to elevate the profile of women’s football on a global scale.
While her focus differs from traditional football agents, Rachel Anderson’s impact on the world of women’s football cannot be understated.
Her dedication to her clients and her commitment to promoting gender equality in the sport makes her a noteworthy figure among football agents.
14. Alessandro Lucci
Alessandro Lucci is an Italian football agent known for his involvement in high-profile transfers and negotiations. His client list includes prominent players like Paulo Dybala, Federico Chiesa, and Theo Hernandez.
Lucci has been instrumental in orchestrating transfers to top clubs in Italy and Europe, earning a reputation as a skilled negotiator and advisor for his clients.
One of Lucci’s notable achievements was Paulo Dybala’s transfer to Juventus from Palermo, a move that solidified Dybala as one of the rising stars in European football.
Lucci’s ability to navigate complex negotiations and secure lucrative deals for his clients has made him a respected figure in the world of football agents.
15. Rachid Belhout
Rachid Belhout is a football agent who has gained recognition for his work in representing African players. He has a strong client base that includes players like Wilfred Ndidi, Nicolas Pepe, and Ismaïla Sarr.
Belhout’s expertise in scouting and nurturing talent from Africa has helped many players secure moves to top European clubs.
One of his notable achievements was Nicolas Pepe’s transfer to Arsenal from Lille, which broke the club’s transfer record at the time.
Belhout’s dedication to promoting African talent on the global stage and his ability to facilitate moves to prestigious leagues have made him a significant figure in the football agency.
16. Giuliano Bertolucci
Giuliano Bertolucci is a Brazilian football agent who has played a pivotal role in the careers of several top players from South America. His client list includes Neymar Jr., Arthur Melo, and Richarlison, among others.
Bertolucci is known for his strong connections in the Brazilian football scene and his expertise in guiding young talents to success.
One of his standout achievements was Neymar Jr.’s transfer from Santos to Barcelona, a historic move that catapulted Neymar to global stardom.
Bertolucci’s ability to navigate the complexities of international transfers and his knack for identifying promising talents in Brazil have solidified his position as a leading football agent.
17. Mark McKay
Mark McKay is a British football agent known for his work in representing a diverse range of players from various leagues around the world. His client list includes Dwight McNeil, Dwight Gayle, and Matt Ritchie, among others.
McKay is recognized for his professionalism and ability to secure deals for his clients across different levels of football.
One of McKay’s notable achievements was facilitating Dwight McNeil’s rise to prominence at Burnley FC.
His commitment to nurturing young talents and his role in helping players find suitable clubs make him a respected figure in football agency.
18. Kiaer & Engstrom Sports Agency – Magnus Engström and Fabio Kiaer
This dynamic duo, Magnus Engström and Fabio Kiaer co-founded the Kiaer & Engstrom Sports Agency. Based in Sweden, they have made a name for themselves by representing several Swedish football talents, including Emil Forsberg, Victor Lindelöf, and Alexander Isak.
One of their notable achievements was securing Emil Forsberg’s move to RB Leipzig from Malmö FF.
This transfer showcased their ability to recognize and promote Scandinavian talent on the global stage.
Their extensive network and dedication to nurturing young prospects have made them prominent figures in the football agent world.
19. Iñaki Ibañez
Iñaki Ibañez is a Spanish football agent known for his work with Spanish players and his extensive connections in La Liga.
His client list includes Koke, Kiko Casilla, and Gerard Deulofeu, among others. Ibañez is highly regarded for his deep understanding of Spanish football and his ability to guide players through their careers.
One of his notable achievements was Koke’s continued success and leadership at Atlético Madrid.
Ibañez’s close relationship with clubs in La Liga and his commitment to representing Spanish talent have solidified his reputation as a top football agent in Spain.
20. Giuseppe Riso
Giuseppe Riso, an Italian football agent, has made a significant impact on player representation. His client list includes rising stars like Nicolo Zaniolo, Gianluca Mancini, and Andrea Pinamonti.
Riso is known for his dedication to nurturing young Italian talents and helping them secure moves to top Serie A clubs.
One of his standout achievements was Nicolo Zaniolo’s transfer from Inter Milan to AS Roma, where Zaniolo flourished into one of Italy’s most promising midfielders.
Riso’s expertise in navigating the Italian football landscape and his role in promoting homegrown talent have established him as a reputable figure in football agency.
Conclusion
The sports agency business is no doubt very lucrative. And, the demand for fresh talent as well as top players at Football clubs have got the best football agents working overtime.
The financial benefits are immense.
So, if you are a talented footballer, you can consider how to be a professional footballer. Or you could learn how to get a football scholarship.
On another hand, if you cannot be a football agent, you can learn how to start a soccer jersey business and make money.
We’d like to hear from you. Having highlighted the best football agents available, who then is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the comment box.
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