Pimenta: Haaland's Ten-Year Contract and the Test of Player Mentality

2026-07-27

In a recent interview with the High Performance podcast, Rafaela Pimenta, agent to football stars including Haaland, Foden, and Moura, delved into the mental challenges posed by signing a decade-long contract. She noted that while such lengthy commitments can be daunting for many players, Haaland consistently demonstrates a fierce motivation and passion throughout the process.

Family Background Laying the Foundation for a Career

Pimenta pointed out that the success of many top players is often rooted in their upbringing. For Haaland, having a father who was a professional footballer allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of the sport from a young age. In this context, football was never shrouded in mystery for him; rather, he understood the hardships and pressures of the profession. Witnessing his father's injury-related retirement profoundly illustrated to Haaland the unpredictable nature of a sporting career.

Close Collaboration with Haaland

When discussing her partnership with Haaland, Pimenta emphasized that signing a ten-year contract requires a unique mindset. While many players might experience a waning of motivation after signing, Haaland exhibits the contrary. She stated, "Haaland treats every match like it's his New Year's Day opener, always focusing solely on victory." Surrounded by supportive figures in his life, he knows who deserves to be by his side long-term and who can be left behind with a simple greeting. Such choices help him maintain clarity and focus, ensuring he can commit fully to both football and family. His team—comprising a chef, driver, physiotherapist, and nutritionist—is dedicated to enabling him to sidestep everyday distractions so he can concentrate on the game.

Opportunities and Challenges of Long Contracts

For most players, long-term contracts often come with a sense of confinement. However, Pimenta believes that if the contract terms are structured thoughtfully, players will not feel restricted. She emphasized that long contracts send a message of stability to fans and sponsors alike, fostering greater reliance on the player’s presence. Naturally, this stability does not suit every young player, especially those new to professional football and who have never lived in Europe—such commitments can often appear unrealistic.

Common Traits Among Elite Players

Pimenta highlighted that elite players exude focus from their first encounters. Some players express their passion for football with almost obsessive fervor. Despite the adulation they receive for their dazzling performances, these athletes often replay their mistakes in their minds. They are acutely aware of the importance of maintaining both physical and mental health, rather than living in a constant state of tension.

Reflecting on Mistakes

Pimenta noted that while these outstanding players often review their goals post-match, what lingers in their minds more frequently are their errors. Successful athletes possess a profound capacity for self-reflection, continuously striving for improvement while always preparing for the next opportunity.

Progress in Women's Football

Discussing women's football, Pimenta remarked that the women's game still has much to learn from its male counterpart, but the physiological and psychological conditions of the two are distinctly different. As research into female players deepens, an increasing number of talented professionals are choosing to stay in women's football, undoubtedly accelerating its growth.

Hopes for the Future

Pimenta aspires to be remembered as someone driven by kindness in the years to come. If she can inspire a girl to step outside her comfort zone in pursuit of her dreams, that would be her greatest achievement. She quoted her father, stressing that no matter how successful work becomes, one should never lose sight of the essence of life.

Words of Wisdom to Her Younger Self

Finally, Pimenta shared words of advice for her younger self: "Don't take things too seriously; a little relaxation can lead to achieving great results."