20 Oct
From 13 to 17 October 2025, the first session of the sixth edition of the UEFA Executive Master for International Players (UEFA MIP) took place in Nyon and Lausanne, Switzerland, marking the beginning of a new journey for 33 former international footballers committed to shaping the future of the game beyond the pitch.
The UEFA MIP VI – Session 1: Understanding the Professional Football Landscape
Hosted at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, as well as at Lausanne Sport, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and Servette FC, this opening session introduced participants to the institutional framework that govern professional football.
Through interactive lectures, workshops, and round tables, participants engaged with key figures from different stakeholders (UEFA, European Football Clubs, Football Supporters Europe, FIFPRO/PFA, and the European Leagues to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the modern football industry.
The session also included discussions on career transition, leadership, and the evolving governance of the sport, enriched by the testimonials of UEFA MIP alumni and high-level football administrators.
The UEFA MIP VI cohort, composed of 33 participants representing 27 nationalities, embodies the diversity and international dimension of the programme. The CDES, together with UEFA Academy and its academic and sporting partners (Birkbeck (University of London), European Football Clubs and FIFPRO Europe), is delighted to welcome each participant into this new edition:
Bruno Alves, Karim Ansarifard, Sébastien Bassong, Pierre Bengtsson, Leah Blayney, Cüneyt Çakır, Ilie Cebanu, Siem de Jong, Guy Demel, Omar Elabdellaoui, Alfred Finnbogason, Sara Gama, Shkëlzen Gashi, Marlon Glean, Betsy Hassett, Nora Hauptle, Andrine Hegerberg, Simon Kjær, Olga Letyushova, Carolina Mendes, Ivan Rakitić, Morgan Schneiderlin, Dimitrios Siovas, Faouzi Ghoulam, Artur Sobiech, Sebastian Sorsa, Mario Suárez, Jan Vertonghen, Quentin Westberg, Hassan Yebda, José Carlos Zeca, Tolga Zengin, and Claudia van den Heiligenberg.
CDES and UEFA extend their warmest welcome to all participants and wish them every success throughout their 20-month journey across eight international sessions.
Graduation Ceremony of the UEFA MIP V (2023–2025)
This first session of MIP VI was also marked by a moment of celebration: the graduation ceremony of the fifth edition of the UEFA MIP, held at UEFA headquarters on 15 October 2025.
The event honoured the achievements of the MIP V graduates, who have completed their academic and professional journey from 2023 to 2025. Surrounded by family, friends, and representatives from the partners delivering the programme, the new graduates received their executive master’s degree awarded by the University of Limoges from the hands of UEFA’ President, Mister Aleksander Čeferin.
This ceremony symbolised the culmination of two years of hard work and dedication, and the continuation of a growing network of more nearly 150 UEFA MIP alumni, all of whom share the same mission: to contribute to the sustainable development and governance of world football.
Looking Ahead
The CDES, in collaboration with UEFA and its partneres, is proud to continue this unique programme that supports former international players in their transition to leadership and management roles within football.
As MIP VI embarks on its new journey and MIP V enters the alumni network, both groups exemplify the spirit of the UEFA MIP: turning experience on the field into leadership off the field.
