Latest news with #footballtalent
Forbes
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Players In UEFA Women's Euro Squads Concentrated Among Elite Clubs
BERN, SWITZERLAND - JULY 03: Vicky Lopez, Maite Zubieta, Jana Fernandez, Patricia Guijarro and ... More Leila Ouahabi of Spain and Kiki Nazareth of Portugal pose for a photo whilst inspecting the pitch prior to the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Group B match between Spain and Portugal at Stadion Wankdorf on July 03, 2025 in Bern, Switzerland. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) Almost half of the 368 players in the 16 squads at UEFA Women's Euro come from an elite group of 16 European clubs illustrating a concentration of talent in the women's game. According to a study by Football Benchmark, there is a higher number of female players coming from a small number of countries (68%) when compared to the men's European Championship last year (62%). Squads playing at the men's Euro comprised of players from an average of 9.2 clubs, far greater than the 6.7 average in the squads at UEFA Women's Euro 2025. No club has provided more players to the tournament than FC Barcelona. The Spanish champions have 17 of their representatives at the UEFA Women's Euro - 11 in the Spain squad, and one each playing for Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland. Italy's Giulia Dragoni is another on FC Barcelona's books, currently on loan to AS Roma and would have played at the tournament but for injury. They recently signed another member of the Spanish squad, Laia Aleixandri from Manchester City. German champions, FC Bayern are the next-best represented club at the tournament with 16 players at the UEFA Women's Euro. They are followed by Italian champions Juventus and English champions Chelsea with 14 each. European champions Arsenal have 13 of their players at the tournament. These biggest clubs will benefit the most financially from the tournament, consolidating the wealth in the women's game. As part of UEFA's club benefit payments, which have increased by 33% from the last tournament in 2022, the teams will be compensated for releasing their players to their national team. Paid on a pro-rata basis, a club will receive a payment for each day one of their players will be in Switzerland. A club will therefore receive a minimum of $15,480 (€13,140) for each player who takes part in the group stage. This amounts to $263,177 (€223,380) going to FC Barcelona for their 17 representatives. This will rise to over $400,000 if Spain reach the final. In total 67% of all the players at the UEFA Women's Euro come from Europe's biggest five leagues - England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. They are led by the English Women's Super League who provide 72 players. In addition, the English second tier, the newly-named WSL2, have 11 representatives playing for their national sides, the majority of them in the Wales squad. The Italy's Serie A Femminile is surprisingly the next best represented league with 51 players followed by the German Frauen Bundesliga with 47. Spain's Liga F provides 38 with France's Division 1 Féminine clubs represented by 28. The National Women's Soccer League provides the most players to the tournament from outside Europe with 19. There are also 2 from the newly-formed Canadian Northern Super League. In total 6% of the players at the tournament play for clubs outside Europe. The study concludes that this concentration of talent in the women's game is understandable considering that domestic leagues are smaller than in the men's game, with typically 12 to 16 teams. Also, there have been only 16 places in the group stage of the Women's Champions League. This will be extended to 18 next season and the introduction of the Women's Europa Cup offering European competition to more clubs across the continent. For the moment, "only a handful of clubs currently offer a genuine platform for players to reach the highest level". While the women's game continues to grow, it is still hampered by the prevalence of short-term contracts and a subsequent limited transfer market where a fee is paid. 'The data also reveals a structural reliance on a limited number of institutions, constraining the diversity and resilience of development pathways.'
Zawya
02-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Visa, SAB and AC Milan Women announce the winner of She's Next in Football program in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, today announced the winners of the inaugural She's Next in Football program in Saudi Arabia, held in partnership with Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) and AC Milan Women. The initiative spotlights the Kingdom's most promising women footballers and marks a major step in advancing female talent in sports through mentorship, professional training, and international exposure. Fatima Alsenan was named the overall winner and will travel to Milan for a two-week 'Training with the PRO' experience at the PUMA House of Football, training alongside AC Milan Women's professional players and coaches. Zainab Alhomidi secured the runner-up position and will enjoy an exclusive VIP visit to AC Milan's training grounds. Both athletes were chosen from a highly competitive pool following a week-long training camp in Riyadh. Finalists were evaluated based on their football skills, leadership potential, and dedication to the game. The judging panel included representatives from Visa, SAB, and Saudi football icon Farah Jefry, who also serves as the program ambassador. 'Programs like She's Next in Football show us what's possible when ambition, talent, and opportunity come together. What sets these young women apart isn't just what they do. It's how they think with resilience, focus, and a willingness to grow. That mindset is exactly what She's Next is all about. Through partnerships with SAB and AC Milan Women, we're not just creating opportunities, building ecosystems that empower women to lead, inspire, and shape their communities. It's a model that works across sectors, and one we're proud to champion as part of Saudi Arabia's inclusive growth journey,' said Ali Bailoun, Visa's Regional General Manager for KSA, Bahrain, and Oman. Lama Ghazzaoui, Chief Financial Officer at SAB said, 'When women are given meaningful access to opportunity they rise, not only as athletes but as change makers. This partnership is about more than football, it is about creating a space for growth, confidence and ambition to take root. As the chair of BALANCE, SAB's employee diversity program, we strive to promote gender diversity in the workplace and the marketplace. We are also dedicated to contributing to a more inclusive future for sports in the Kingdom by supporting initiatives that expand opportunities for training, mentoring, and developing female talent, ultimately transforming it into professional capabilities.' Elisabet Spina, AC Milan Head of Women Football: 'At its core, She's Next in Football is a project aimed at unlocking the potential of young women, where ambition meets opportunity and talent is given the space it deserves. At AC Milan, in collaboration with SAB and Visa, we are proud to support these young women and accompany them on their journey of growth, both on and off the pitch. We are very pleased to welcome Fatima Alsenan to the PUMA House of Football, where she will begin a high-level growth journey within a Club whose prestige is globally recognized, and in close contact with top-tier professionals. This experience will allow her to immerse herself in a professional environment that fosters ambition, self-confidence, and personal development, both on and off the pitch.' Since its launch in 2023, Visa's She's Next initiative has empowered thousands of women across industries in Saudi Arabia, including fashion, gaming, and now sports. About Visa: Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers and businesses globally. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at About Visa, and @VisaCEMEA. About SAB: Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) is one of the largest banks in the Kingdom, with a history in Saudi Arabia spanning over 90 years. Over the past nine decades, it has been an active partner in supporting the Kingdom's economic growth and social development. SAB is a leading corporate and institutional international bank in the Kingdom with a top Wealth & Personal Banking proposition. SAB is also a leader in in trade finance, foreign exchange, debt wholesale banking, digital service innovation, and ESG, in Saudi Arabia and the broader region. SAB offers integrated financial and banking services, including corporate banking, investment, private banking, and treasury. The bank's paid-up capital is SAR 20.5 billion, following its legal merger with Alawwal Bank on 14th March 2021, when it was formerly known as the Saudi British Bank (SABB). SAB operates under the supervision and regulation of the Saudi Central Bank and is a partner of the HSBC Group.
BBC News
21-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
In numbers: Why is Miller so coveted?
Clearly an 18-year-old who has played 76 first-team games, captained his club, and made his international debut possesses talent which is going to attract his debut Lennon Miller's close control, passing range, and vision have caught the across the world are data driven, always looking for young players with positive numbers who can be bought at a relatively low price, developed, and sold on.A look at some of the numbers for central midfielders in the Scottish Premiership last season demonstrates why Miller would appear in lots of an adept set-piece taker, Miller grabbed eight assists for Motherwell, a tally only bettered by Rangers' Nicolas Raskin among central midfielders in the a deeper-lying midfielder, he was deployed as one of two number 10s in the early part of the campaign for Motherwell, and ranked third among midfielders for chances created by the end of the season, as well as deliveries into the for the dirtier side of the game, only Celtic captain Callum McGregor won the ball back more times than teenager was also the most fouled central midfielder in the league, a nod to his ability to use his body to protect the ball in tight spaces, and his dribbling prowess passing accuracy as a whole is further down the charts, which hints at an area for development, but Motherwell's direct style and Miller's tendency to play riskier passes forward could also be behind the lower course individual statistics are not themselves the basis for signing what has been striking about Miller has been the calmness and confidence with which he has played since his has often been keen to take responsibility, for example scoring an injury-time penalty against Dundee United to send Motherwell to the semi-finals of the League was similarly unbothered by his first Scotland start against Liechtenstein, putting in a standout display."He makes football look easy regardless of what game he plays in," his former Motherwell team-mate Tony Watt posted on X after that more: What next for highly-rated Motherwell teenager Miller?
Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
The most in-demand talents at the Club World Cup
For some, this Club World Cup competition in the United States is something of a shop window for talent. With so many major clubs in one place, it could be the perfect opportunity to show the big sides what you've got. Could they be snapped up by your club? Here is a run down of players – and up-and-coming managers – who are generating some real heat in the market, or could soon become hot property. IN-DEMAND Jamie Gittens (Borussia Dortmund) As revealed by Telegraph Sport, Chelsea targeted the England Under-21 winger as a summer recruit and had bids rejected before the tournament. They will go back later in the window for the Reading-born former Manchester City academy player. Other clubs have also been looking at him. Diogo Costa (Porto) At 25 he is the perfect age for a goalkeeper and billed as the next great gloveman from Portugal after the likes of Vítor Baía and Rui Patrício. He is fresh in the mind after penalty shoot-out heroics in the Nations League, with Premier League clubs looking at him as a high-profile No 1. Franco Mastantuono (River Plate) The 17-year-old can play as a right-winger or a No 10 and has already appeared for the Argentina national team. He is a fan of Phil Foden, which illustrates just how young he is. Real Madrid are expected to sign him after the tournament but he could take his pick of any of the big European clubs. Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus) Manchester City have him on their list of right-backs to replace Kyle Walker but a move has not materialised. The 25-year-old Italy international has the ability to play on both flanks, which makes him appealing to clubs, although he is thought to have a high asking price. Juve are pondering over how expensive he would be to replace. Rodrygo (Real Madrid) Has not seemed settled at Real Madrid with other Galacticos taking the limelight. Arsenal are admirers of the Brazilian. Players rarely want to leave the Bernabéu unless they are kicked out – so it would have to be a bad situation for him to push for a move. But as we have seen in the Champions League, he is a match winner. Pablo Barrios (Atlético Madrid) The ink is still drying on his new contract at Metropolitano Stadium, committing him until 2030, so the central midfielder would not come cheap. But the biggest clubs in Europe will be carefully watching the 21-year-old, whose value will only increase if he plays at the World Cup with Spain next year. Wesley Franca (Flamengo) The 21-year-old is a wonderkid who will eventually make the move to Europe – it is just a case of who will make the right offer. Manchester City are in the market for a right-back and he is said to be one they are watching. He was linked with Liverpool, although they have swooped for Jeremie Frimpong in that position.
CNA
14-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Teen sensations Yamal and Mastantuono need space to develop, says Trezeguet
ASUNCION :Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and River Plate's Franco Mastantuono are dazzling fans at just 17, but must be allowed to develop without excessive pressure to reach their potential, former France striker David Trezeguet said Wednesday. "Yamal is a pure, unique talent, a player who has proven to be different from the rest. He grew up in Barcelona's academy, where the 'Lionel Messi' identity is very present, so these kids copy that format," Trezeguet, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, told reporters. Mastantuono, River Plate's attacking midfielder who is making waves in Argentina, is "demonstrating all his qualities at a very young age," Trezeguet added. Yamal is the youngest player to debut and score for Spain. With Barcelona, he has already won the Spanish league, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. He also won the European Championship with Spain. Trezeguet, a former River Plate player, where Mastantuono made his debut in January last year, emphasised that both players "are great to watch" because of the way they play and the way they "express their talent". "They'll have time to perfect everything else. They're young. But I think it's important for football in general to have this type of player who serves as an example for the younger players." Juan Pablo Sorin, who played for both River Plate and Barcelona, said he would like to see both players continue their development. "I don't like comparisons, because I think it's like limiting the player who's emerging. It's the same thing that happened to Lamine and Leo (Messi)," the former Argentina defender told Reuters. "It's true that the position is similar, but I think the characteristics are different, and I think each player has their own potential, qualities, and areas for improvement," he added. Both Trezeguet and Sorin said River Plate fans should make the most of Mastantuono's time there as he would likely continue his career in Europe soon. The Argentine, who has been linked with Real Madrid, shone in River Plate's victory over Boca Juniors last month, scoring a free kick. "We have to let them complete all the stages. They have to play, have fun, and continue to show off their talent and their audacity. They have a lot of personality," Sorin said. "What really catches my attention about both of them is how effective they are with the number of balls they touch. They make most of them effective, and that's impressive for their age," he added.
