World Cup winners Lloyd, Nesta bring Aspire Academy Global Summit to a winning close

Philadelphia: The 11th Aspire Academy Global Summit 2025 concluded two inspiring days of dialogue, innovation and collaboration at Subaru Park, home o...

Philadelphia: The 11th Aspire Academy Global Summit 2025 concluded two inspiring days of dialogue, innovation and collaboration at Subaru Park, home of the Philadelphia Union, bringing together global leaders in sport and marking the successful close of its first-ever edition in the United States.

Organised in partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS) and in collaboration with the Philadelphia Union, the 11th edition of the Aspire Academy Global Summit brought together over 400 participants from across the global football community, including coaches, technical directors, educators, and decision-makers, united by a shared commitment to advancing the game through education, insight, and collaboration.

Among day two’s highlights were three Star Chats featuring two World Cup-winning players in Italy’s Alessandro Nesta and the USA’s Carli Lloyd, as well as an icon from American football, Ron Jaworski. The dialogue, discussions, and practical sessions continued at Subaru Park for a second day, building on the first day, which had featured a Masterclass by Rafa Benitez, former manager of Liverpool, Chelsea, and Real Madrid, as well as a Star Chat with Sir Gareth Southgate, former England National Team Manager.

 Ahead of the Star Chats, there was an informative roundtable looking at “Managing Congested Calendars.” Representatives from US Soccer, AC Milan, and Urawa Red Diamonds addressed one of football’s most pressing challenges: the growing demand for competitions. They explored strategies to help players manage both the physical and mental demands of an increasingly intense schedule.

 The attendees were treated to an exclusive Star Chat with Alessandro Nesta, former AC Milan captain and FIFA World Cup winner, as he spoke about his transition from player to coach, sharing, “The moment I stopped thinking like a player and started thinking like a coach was when I truly changed. My motivation has always been driven by competition, the desire to win and excel. Coaching is about psychology, trust, and understanding every player. Today’s players are different, and we must adapt to bring out their best. After a loss is when leadership really matters, and that’s when passion keeps you going.”