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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Nathan Ridley

Paul Pogba changes Instagram profile picture as tribute to Mino Raiola

Paul Pogba has paid tribute to agent Mino Raiola, who has died aged 54.

The Manchester United midfielder has changed his profile to picture to one of him and the super-agent, who played a key role in his career and represented some of the world's most famous footballers.

It was announced on Saturday afternoon that Raiola, who underwent an operation back in January and became critically ill this week, passed away after battling a serious illness.

As well as France star Pogba, who is set to leave United this summer, the super-agent had Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Erling Haaland and Gianluigi Donnaruma on his books, making him arguably the biggest heavyweight of the modern transfer market.

Manchester City target Haaland paid tribute by posting a photo of him and Raiola, captioning it with "the best" after scoring a hat-trick in Borussia Dortmund 's 4-3 loss to Bochum during which the Italian's death of was announced. After Raiola personally denied reports that he had passed away on Thursday with a sarcastic tweet, his family issued an emotional statement on Saturday which confirmed his passing but gave no timeline or cause of death.

"In infinite sorrow we share the passing of the most caring and amazing Football Agent that ever was," it read. "Mino fought until the end with the same strength he put on negotiation tables to defend our players. As usual, Mino made us proud and never realised it.

"Mino touched so many lives through his work and wrote a new chapter in the history of modern football. His presence will forever be missed. Mino's mission of making football a better place for players will continue with the same passion.

Pogba changed his Instagram profile picture to this photo of him and Raiola (paulpogba/Instagram)

"We thank everybody for the huge amount of support received during these difficult times and ask for respect to the privacy of family and friends in this moment of grief. The Raiola Family."

Tributes have poured him over the course of the weekend, with Napoli winger Hiving Lozano praising Raiola for his influence on his career in a heartfelt post. "I was blessed to know you and learn from you. One of my great teachers in the leagues of soccer," Mexico international Lozano wrote. "You are in a better place today because I am convinced that your legacy transcends life, no doubt.

Raiola and Pogba shared a close relationship (Instagram/PaulPogba)

"Living with you was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I will never be able to forget our talks and all the moments together. Pain is temporary, someday I'll get over it, and it will go away, instead your memory will live forever in me. I'll never stop missing you. I thank you for everything.

"I will honour your memory every step of the way on and off the pitch. Rest in peace Mino Raiola, sleep and dream while I arrive, we still have a second time to play."

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