The ninth edition of the Aspire Academy Global Summit got under way yesterday at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, organised in collaboration with the FIGC. The event is a chance for employees in the industry to gather and discuss the future of the game: 300 guests, with Head Coaches, experts, former players and visitors from all across the globe, are expected to arrive for the two-day meeting, which ends today.

The event kicked off with opening speeches by Aspire Zone Foundation CEO Mohammed Khalifa Al-Suwaidi, Aspire Academy General Director Ivan Bravo, FIGC President Gabriele Gravina and Professor Valter Di Salvo, Exexcutive Director of the Aspire Academy Global Summit.

Among the guests were former Spain Head Coach Julen Lopetegui, who held a Master Class this year, following on from Arsene Wenger, Mauricio Pochettino, Arrigo Sacchi and Marcelo Bielsa. There was also space for a chat with Simone Inzaghi and Alessandro Del Piero.

The Summit, streamed live thanks to Aspire's continued collaboration with Al Kass TV, continues today with other prestigious guests from the world of Sport, including Gianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz Barshim, Paulo Fonseca - current Lille Head Coach - and Inter and Argentinian legend, Javier Zanetti.