Agent XI: Which representative has the best team?

As transfer fees balloon and high-profile players make big-money moves, the influence of football agents is getting its share of the spotlight.

These representatives are known as much for their portfolio of players as they are their methods, and this notoriety has forged a narrative that has become irrevocably attached to transfer talk associated with their clients.

Here's a glance at football's biggest agents, and an abstract ranking of each based on prestige, the power of persuasion, and a best XI that substitutes function for form:

Football's dominant double

Mino Raiola - Ask an AC Milan supporter about super-agent Mino Raiola, and expect a profanity-laced response, after the Italian-born, Dutch-raised representative held the club hostage over Gianluigi Donnarumma negotiations.

A back-room bully whose practices can border on the objectionable, there's no denying that Raiola's 20-man roster of talent is one of the world's best, even with contempt towards defensive players.

A front-three of Balotelli, Lukaku, and Ibrahimovic is a threatening blend of equal parts goal-scoring and sound bites, while a four-man midfield featuring Matuidi, Pogba, Verratti, and Mkhitaryan is utterly marvelous in possession. Suspend disbelief and pretend that deep trio isn't horrendous, and the starting XI would be a slice to watch in attack.

Subs: Sergio Romero, Giacomo Bonaventura, Justin Kluivert, Ricardo Kishna, Gregory van der Wiel

Jorge Mendes (Gestifute) - If Raiola is a boisterous braggart whose controversy is tethered to a penchant for holding clubs captive, Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes' dealings are arguably as contentious for massive tax fraud allegations, and his company's involvement with second-tier Wolves.

And, like Raiola, a singular focus on Mendes' clients shows that he and his Italian counterpart are alone on a two-man pedestal for player agents. While the former's is top-heavy, though, the latter's is a well-rounded collection.

A Portuguese-heavy side, Costa runs amok up top with Ronaldo and Silva in support, while a central pairing of Bayern brethren Sanches and James pitches in. Di Maria and Semedo add width, while a back-three of Otamendi, Pepe, and Mangala should be good for no fewer than three yellow cards.

Subs: Andre Gomes, Andre Silva, Ruben Neves, Radamel Falcao, Ezequiel Garay

Best of the rest

Jonathan Barnett (Stellar Group) - Stellar Group chief Jonathan Barrett isn't quite on the level of Raiola and Mendes, but he's not far off. After cutting his teeth in the industry with cricket legend Brian Lara and heavyweight boxer Lennox Lewis, Barnett has assembled a star-studded company of players, not the least of which is Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.

Jose Otin (Bahia Internacional) - Madrid-based, Jose Otin-led Bahia Internacional boasts a collection of 65 clients, with the majority playing in Spain's top flight. Bayern Munich's Javi Martinez and versatile Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal lead the charge for those not plying their trades in La Liga. Of note: Otin is in a bit of bother with Sevilla over the Vitolo move to Atletico Madrid.

Volker Struth (SportsTotal) - German firm SportsTotal possesses a healthy stable of German and Bundesliga-based players, and under super-agent Volker Struth, the agency has amassed a group with established stars like Toni Kroos and Marco Reus, and emerging internationals like Niklas Stark, Lars Stindl, and Bobby Wood. Struth is also not afraid to speak his mind, and when former client Mario Gotze was deemed surplus to requirements at Bayern, the German said, "Guardiola has destroyed Gotze."

Rogon Sportmanagement - Led by agents Roger Wittmann, Wolfgang Fahrian, and Christian Rapp, the German-based Rogon has, like SportsTotal, assembled nearly 100 clients, with the bulk of those playing in the Bundesliga. Rogon's clientele is also highlighted by stars abroad the likes of Roberto Firmino and Julian Draxler.

Close, but no cigar

Unique Sports Management - British agency with a Premier League-rich core, including names like Harry Kane, Wilfried Zaha, and Michail Antonio.

Sports Entertainment Group - Amsterdam-based management group with a line-up littered with Dutch stars like Kevin Strootman, Robin van Persie, Quincy Promes, and Memphis Depay.

Base Soccer Agency Ltd. - Stationed in London, Base Soccer Agency has a troop featuring Aaron Ramsey, Kyle Walker, Danny Rose, and Mohamed Elneny.

Media Base Sports - Led by Pep Guardiola's brother, Pere, and Jaume Rogers, Spain-based MBS represents the Manchester City manager and Luis Suarez, William Carvalho, Yuri Berchiche, Sergi Samper, and Jon Toral.

One to watch

Carles Puyol (Puyol, De La Pena & Sostres) - Relatively new to the football representation field, former Barcelona centre-back Carles Puyol has in a short time added named like Andres Iniesta, Marc Bartra, and Bojan Krkic. Puyol has also reportedly ruffled some feathers at his former club in luring a La Masia grad to Manchester City.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)