LaLiga’s Next Gen Draft Unearths Global Young Talent

LaLiga’s innovative Next Gen Draft program has concluded its second edition, successfully identifying and nurturing promising young football talent from across the globe. The initiative, a collaboration between LaLiga and EA Sports, brought together 40 selected youngsters—20 boys and 20 girls—from Nigeria, China, Japan, Morocco, and Mexico for an intensive formative and sporting experience in Spain.

Global Talent Showcase

The Next Gen Draft program aims to discover and develop young football talent worldwide, with this year’s final stage held in Spain. Participants represented five key regions chosen for their strategic importance to LaLiga and EA Sports, as well as their rich footballing cultures. Each country contributed eight selected individuals who demonstrated not only sporting prowess but also social awareness, according to LaLiga officials.

Intensive Training Camp

The selected players were rewarded with an exclusive camp in Spain, designed to immerse them in a high-performance environment. The boys’ itinerary included arrival in Madrid followed by a main stage in Jerez. Here, they engaged in professional training sessions led by UEFA PRO licensed coaches from LaLiga. Their development was further accelerated through friendly matches against prominent Spanish youth academies, including Sevilla, Real Betis, and Atlético Madrid.

Exceptional Performance on the Pitch

The performance of the young talents during the camp significantly exceeded expectations. Juan Florit, Head of Sports Projects at LaLiga, expressed his surprise at the players’ ability to adapt and compete. “They have exceeded expectations because it’s not easy when you come from totally different cultures,” Florit commented. “In the first match, perhaps they were a little more nervous, and even so, the boys, for example, beat Sevilla. But against Betis, in the second match, tactical concepts were seen, movements were seen that normally appear with much more training time. They competed toe-to-toe against Sevilla and against Betis, they won both matches.”

Surprise from Spanish Academies

The high level of play displayed by the Next Gen Draft participants even caught the attention of Spanish club academy directors. Some expressed their astonishment, inquiring about the origin of these talented young players. “They haven’t shown proactive interest, because it’s true that they are also players under 16 years old and there are always regulations, but they have asked us, ‘Where did you find these boys? This one seems to have good projection, looks good…’” Florit revealed. This highlights the success of the program in identifying players with significant potential.

Diverse Backgrounds and Cultural Integration

LaLiga’s selection process considered a variety of backgrounds, combining players already within more or less official sports structures with others from more disadvantaged areas. The program also focused on fostering cultural integration. Despite language barriers, the young athletes quickly bonded. “After a few days, especially in Jerez, I don’t know how, but the Nigerians are talking to the Chinese, the Japanese with the Moroccans… they have exchanged phones, they joke and laugh together,” Florit shared. This social development is as crucial as the footballing aspect of the program.

Navigating Cultural Differences in Competition

The camp also provided insights into cultural differences regarding competitiveness. Florit shared an anecdote about a young Chinese goalkeeper who initially struggled with the Spanish training environment. “One of the Chinese girls, who is a goalkeeper, after the third training session, we still saw her very nervous, even scared, with many doubts,” he explained. “We, along with the sports psychologist and the tutor who helps us with translation, spoke with her and asked, ‘What’s wrong? We are here to enjoy, to learn, there is no pressure.’ She replied, ‘I’m not used to not being scolded or punished when I make a mistake. So, I don’t really know how to act.’ In China, they have totally different models, and here she saw that when she succeeded, she was applauded, and when she failed, she was applauded, and she was a bit confused by that.” This experience underscores the program’s role in not only football development but also personal growth and understanding different sporting cultures.

Datos clave

The Next Gen Draft program reinforces the joint commitment of LaLiga and EA Sports to provide access to football and create opportunities for new generations, fostering talent and promoting a positive sporting experience globally.

Fuente: MARCA Futbol (https://www.marca.com/futbol/primera-division/2026/06/03/next-gen-draft-programa-laliga-detecta-talento-joven-mundo-habeis-sacado-chicos.html)