DOHA: The 11th Aspire Academy Global Summit 2025 concluded in Philadelphia, bringing together over two days some of the most influential figures in world football — including coaches, experts, and representatives from more than fifty clubs and federations across the globe, particularly from the United States and Canada.
The event forms part of the Aspire in the World Fellows programme — a leading international initiative connecting elite sports institutions to exchange expertise and insights in player and coach development.
Technical sessions and workshops throughout the Summit underscored how innovation and data are reshaping the game of football. Experts from Juventus, AC Milan, MLS, and Aspire Academy explored emerging trends in sports technology, analytics, and performance science. Roundtables addressed key issues, including managing congested calendars, maximising recovery, and integrating technology into coaching systems.
Aspire Academy also presented Blind/Off, a new interactive e-gym system that it has been developing in-house. It enables athletes to receive instant performance feedback and analysis in real-time. The platform will soon be available for mobile use, reflecting Aspire’s commitment to making elite training tools accessible to athletes worldwide.
Valter Di Salvo, Director of Football Performance and Science at Aspire Academy, commented, “This year’s event showed how powerful it is when the global football community comes together to share knowledge and challenge itself to keep improving. So, what’s next? Next for us starts immediately! We are bringing our Workshop Tour for the first time ever to Europe with a debut event in Bucharest, Romania, next year. And we are already planning for the 12th edition of the Aspire Academy Global Summit with the venue to be announced soon.”
Participants have shed the light on several key topics. “The most important thing for developing football is developing coaches,” said Sir Gareth Southgate, former England National Team Manager.
“We are all constantly learning. Bringing people together to share experiences and ideas helps us all grow, especially as the game continues to evolve,” he added.
Italian legend and FIFA World Cup winner, as well as former AC Milan captain, Alessandro Nesta, reflected on the relationship between trust, adaptability, and tactical awareness in modern football. “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.”
