Soccer superagent Ali Barat is doing things differently. Will it work?

Soccer superagent Ali Barat is doing things differently. Will it work?

Briefly

"TURIN, Italy -- Where was Ali? Nobody knew. Ali Barat, the world's hottest soccer agent, was supposed to be at the Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile by 5:30 p.m. But it was after 6, and nobody had seen him. Later that December evening, Paris Saint-Germain's Désiré Doué would be given the 2025 Golden Boy award as the sport's top young player. In the spirit of every award ceremony ever, a full undercard of other honors was dispensed first. That included Best Agent, which Barat would win for the second time in three years."

"As usual, Barat was staying at a more exclusive hotel than his colleagues at Epic, the agency he founded and runs, which meant he was getting to the event on his own. It should have been easy enough -- a driver had been dispatched -- but now it was 6:15. Where had he gone? And why wasn't he answering texts? Ali was probably on a call somewhere working a deal, Yann Guerin, who handles Epic's media, told me. "He'll be here.""

"And then, as if on command, Barat appeared over Guerin's shoulder, striding through the glass doors. He wore a charcoal-colored tuxedo with no tie and a gold watch -- all dials and knobs -- that wouldn't have seemed out of place on a James Bond villain. He looked like he ran a record label and within moments, Barat had nestled between two Sky Sports hosts who were covering the event, where he recounted the extraordinary summer of transfers that won him the award. Then he did a group interview with print reporters, and quick one-on-ones. Guerin looked on approvingly."