Opening remarks

Unlocking the Future of Football: Tech, Talent, and Coaching at Web Summit Lisbon 2025

Mr. David Garrido, Sky Sports presenter, warmly welcomed attendees to the Sports Summit at Web Summit Lisbon 2025. He greeted both returning and new participants, setting an enthusiastic tone. The morning sessions had already delivered stellar content, establishing a high benchmark.

The afternoon program features seven diverse sessions until 4 p.m., promising a broad exploration of key sports topics. Discussions will delve into advanced coaching methodologies, racing intricacies, and the innovative field of immune intelligence in athletic performance.

Further sessions will examine the dynamic growth of women’s sports, the profound interplay between sport and culture, and the compelling art of storytelling within the sporting world. The agenda also highlights the unique values sport instills.

The stage will host a distinguished array of speakers, including celebrated elite athletes, sharp minds contributing groundbreaking ideas, and influential opinion shapers. These experts are poised to share unique insights, enriching the discourse on sports.

Focusing specifically on football, Mr. Garrido emphasized the sport’s fundamental reliance on its players. They are the undeniable stars, primary entertainers, and central figures in the captivating drama of the game, drawing global attention.

However, these star players would not reach their full potential without the essential guidance and strategic input of dedicated coaches. Coaches are indispensable in shaping talent and orchestrating success. The upcoming session features an individual who excelled as both player and coach.

Coaching, like many sectors, is undergoing significant transformation driven by technology and artificial intelligence. This evolution offers numerous benefits, including enhanced player performance analysis, refined mentorship programs, and optimized training regimens for player development.

Technology facilitates efficient and accelerated athletic talent development. Nevertheless, Mr. Garrido cautioned that technology alone cannot solve every challenge. Its implementation requires meaningful and sensitive application, always guided by human expertise.

The profound knowledge, keen intuition, and creative ingenuity of human beings will remain the decisive factors in nurturing the next generation of footballers. While technological tools are sophisticated, the irreplaceable human element in coaching is crucial.

The afternoon’s inaugural session promises an engaging conversation. Sol Campbell, a renowned former footballer for prominent clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, and Portsmouth, and an England international, will discuss with Miguel Delaney, chief football writer at The Independent.