The Winners of 2024

2024 has already produced some unforgettable footballing moments. From the European Championships to Copa América, the beautiful game has come into full flow this year with unimaginable skill, heroic pride and spellbinding drama intertwining to create magical memories for whole nations.

Sports World is proud to nurture close relationships with the stars that have graced the pitch, and here we reflect on the illuminating conversations with our honoured clients that highlight the drive and determination which has paved their path to success.

LEO MESSI

Goat – Acronym

An acronym used to call someone or something the “greatest of all time”.

A term that for many football fans across the world, conjures up images of just one player – LEO MESSI.

To be the greatest of all time is to continually push the boundaries of excellence and create simply unforgettable moments for whole communities. To be the greatest of all time, scoring sublime goals and claiming a record eight Ballon d’Ors is secondary to uniting millions and changing the face of football across the world.

That’s the Messi effect, and it’s palpable. Never before in our generation have we seen a player have such an impact that goes beyond the sport itself, inspiring people to chase their dreams and transform the way they think about their capabilities.

In truth, no words can do his career justice. It is almost beyond comprehension of what an individual can achieve. Incomparable.

So when he emotionally exited the field in the 64th minute of the Copa América Final with an ankle injury, the proverbial heartstrings of every single football fan across the globe were well and truly tugged. Was this the end? Rumours of retirement have continued to enter the ether. The generational players of our time just might be coming to the end of their iconic tenures, take Ronaldo’s agonising performances and Toni Kroos’ fateful final bow at EURO 2024 – after all, nothing lasts forever. But Leo’s legacy will.

His unfortunate exit from the game ended in happiness, as Argentina went on to beat Columbia 1-0 in extra time to win their 16th Copa América title and Messi led the celebrations with his usual humility, honourability and gratitude.

Over the years Lionel Messi has cemented his place in football history, and he is one of the world’s best-known and influential athletes with a staggering 504 million Instagram followers.

Sports World were honoured to engage with Leo and spend the day with him in Barcelona back in 2019 for our Spring Cover, with a conversation that taught us even beyond his playing days, Messi’s magic will persist.

“I am like anyone else who is interested in learning things other than those related to their daily work and who likes to discover other professional experiences,” said Leo. We spoke with Lionel during his photoshoot with revolutionary watchmakers Jacob&Co, unveiling his new line of luxury watches with the brand.

“I thought that the world of watchmaking would be a good market in which to continue to develop the other facets of my life,” he says. Today, Messi has kept his promise and he continues to develop a range of other business interests that will keep him busy off the pitch.

In addition to his limited collection with Jacob&Co, he launched his own clothing line and opened his first retail outlet, the Messi Store, in 2019 in Barcelona. He also has a lifelong deal with Adidas. More recently, he has launched Más+ by Messi, a game-changing hydration drink which taps into the growing health beverage market across the world.

While football was always Leo’s calling, clearly, the Argentinian messiah has business acumen and he will continue to find his feet after the boots are hung. Family is also a huge part of his life, relishing time spent together with wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their three sons Thiago, Mateo and Ciro – the former of which is following in his father’s footsteps showcasing his talents with Inter Miami’s U12 team.

Messi also has a huge interest in charitable pursuits. He is involved with organisations that seek to improve the lives of the next generation:

“There are two things that we have been working on off the field that we are very proud of because they allow us to do our bit to improve the lives of others in a small way, with a particular focus on children,” says Leo. “I am proud to be a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and am also very happy with the role that the Leo Messi Foundation is playing in the Pediatric Cancer Center project at Barcelona’s Sant Joan de Déu hospital. In both cases, it is all about helping those who need it most, with a focus on children who have fewer resources and greater difficulties in their lives.”

THE MESSI EFFECT ISN’T OVER, IT MIGHT JUST BE GETTING STARTED.

“Sports World is a very interesting magazine. It sets the trend in the current market and helps you discover some of the most interesting new products and services available. It was a pleasure to speak to you because I have been a regular reader of the magazine, I really like its style and content.”

– LIONEL MESSI

Cristian Gabriel Romero

CORAZÓN DE LEÓN: LIONHEART

In the world of football, a rock-solid defence often forms the backbone of championship-winning teams – and there isn’t a player more befitting of those words than Cristian Romero. A source of steadfast passion and strategic intelligence, Cristian has played a crucial role for both his club and country and remains a stoic figure of reliability.

As a pivotal player in Argentina’s victorious 2024 Copa América campaign, Romero’s performances on the pitch were nothing short of extraordinary. His steadfast defence and strategic brilliance played a crucial role in securing the title for La Albiceleste, solidifying his status as one of the most revered defenders on the planet.

But off the field, he reveals a different side to his character: one of a deferential family man whose singular ambition is to support his family and make them proud. His alluring sense of style positions him as a lucrative name for contemporary global brands. In short, Romero represents a new era of modern footballer – backing elite performance with cultural relevance.

Exclusively for Sports World, Cristian enveloped himself in the worlds of fashion and art as we gathered a team of creatives at the Maddox Gallery in London for our Winter 2023 cover collaboration, depicting Romero as you’ve never seen him before.

ORIGINS OF A CHAMPION

Unsurprisingly, much of Cristian’s talent can be traced back to his upbringing in South America, where football is considered an art form. It is more than just a game, it weaves another dimension into identity, adding exuberance and escape into a lifestyle often marred with hardship – where bare-feet on makeshift dusty pitches create magic with sheer passion.

This was the case for Romero, whose childhood days were spent playing football on the streets of the Villa Rivadavia region of Córdoba with his brother and cousins.

Interestingly, how Cristian plays football mirrors his approach to art; he relies on gut feeling, intuition, and emotion to guide him instead of following preconceived notions of how he should think and behave – drawing parallels with the expressive nature of his past.

“I’m not an expert when it comes to art,” says Cristian. “I love the paintings here at Maddox, but I mostly buy art because I like what I see, not because I know its value. Sometimes, I might not know the artist, but something about their work identifies with me or gives me a feeling I can’t explain. That is what makes art special, in my opinion.”

For a player in the midst of a footballing boom – the game has never seen such riches, with the global football market set to teach $5300 million by the end of 2032 (Zion Market Research) – Romero remains humble to his roots and unmoved by the premise of monetised value.

“If I were a person who only thought about money, I would have made different decisions, but my thoughts were always about playing for Argentina,” he says.

“Today, whenever I set foot on the field, I think about my childhood playing football in the streets with my brother and cousins,” Cristian tells us.

“Those memories are beautiful for me, and where I come from, it’s tough to get to where I am today, so I keep those memories close.”

In Cristian’s eyes, playing in the Premier League was necessary to realise his childhood dreams. To make his international debut, he knew he had to play in the most competitive league in world football, and thankfully, his decision paid off.

This year’s Copa América victory adds another feather to Argentina’s indelible cap. It follows an iconic World Cup win in Qatar last year, where the world watched Lionel Messi, Argentina’s talismanic leader, lead his teammates to footballing immortality.

“Winning the World Cup is the most important achievement for a footballer,” says Cristian. “To do that in a golden generation of the national team, is remarkable. We will go down in history, not just in Argentina but in world football, which is special.

“At home, I have a painting of the moment we lifted the trophy and every day I wake up, I see it, and it reminds me of how I touched that trophy with my hands. I still touch it whenever I train with the national team, which is always a great feeling.”

Cristian, a luminary figure both on and off the pitch, has achieved what most would have thought was unthinkable in his relatively short career. In this exclusive glimpse into his life, we have discovered more than a footballer; we find an artist shaped by the guidance of his family, friends and a pure love of the game.

“I have been working closely with the company since I came to Tottenham and they are incredible.

They have always been very attentive; everything that we have done we have always worked with them with the utmost professionalism, and they have always treated me first class.

They are important to me because they also comfort me a lot. Any problems or ideas that occur to me on a daily basis, or whatever comes up, be it a trip, a gift or a party, whatever you need, they are always available to you.

I think that if they continue working as they do, they will become one of the biggest companies in the world, so I’m very happy to work with them.”

– CRISTIAN ROMERO

Álvaro Morata

EL CAPITÁN

The man behind the medals

After an astounding EUROS campaign in leading his nation to European glory, Álvaro Morata has come of age.

At 31 years old, Álvaro Morata is no novice. His footballing career has been fraught with trophies and he has tallied nearly a century of goals in 248 appearances for two of Spain’s biggest teams. Somewhat of an unsung hero in the eyes of many, Álvaro’s career undoubtedly peaked when he led out his country during EURO 2024, guiding them to victory and bringing Spain back to the forefront of European football.

But more than the medals, the trophies and the goals – which many have overlooked during his versatile career – Morata’s open-hearted approach to life is what sets him apart and suggests he is so much more than what we see on the field. A player with purpose and talent, yes, but above all an honest, humble, relatable human being.

It’s this commitment in his career which transcends through every corner of his life. He is a passionate traveller, a lover of luxury, an aficionado of memorabilia, and a fervent family man – and now, as he prepares to embark on a fresh challenge in Italy sporting the famous black and red hoops for the Rossoneri at AC Milan – he is an international symbol of the pride of Spain.

For years, Álvaro has been a valued client of Sports World and we are honoured to continue to support him and his family in their pursuits. Back in the summer of 2020, we spoke to Álvaro at his beautiful home in the Spanish capital of Madrid and saw him in a new light as he talked openly and candidly about his career, his father, the love he has for his wife Alice and what might come next for him after football.

For any footballer, inspiration is key. What drives them and inspires them to be the best they can be, is often the reason behind why they play the beautiful game. Morata met his Italian girlfriend Alice Campello when he was playing for Juventus in 2016. They married a year later in Venice, and now have four beautiful children.

“My wife and kids are the best thing that I have in my life,” says Morata. “Alice has given me stability, affection and love since the day we met. Whenever there has been low points in my life she has always been there for me, and that’s why she is the first thing I think about when I succeed or score a goal. She is the love of my life.”

This love for family is something ingrained deep within Morata. You only need to watch the video of the immediate aftermath of the EUROs final whistle to see that – he is filmed sprinting up to Alice and the children in the stands to share that special moment with them before joining his teammates.

Is this what makes a player special? Yes, talent helps, but being a good person who cares deeply about those around him, is without doubt a contributing factor to success. Within Morata’s house, he has endless memorabilia of past teammates and achievements to remind him of how special his teams have been.

‘I’ve built a museum inside the house, which is the most important part for me,” he tells us. “I have a lot of boots, shirts and other memorabilia that I’ve collected from teammates throughout the years at Real Madrid, Juventus, Atletico, Chelsea, and of course Spain.”

Unknown to many, Morata has a lot of business interests, including being a major shareholder in a huge bakery. In addition, he is clued up on finances and is seeking to help other players secure their long-term financial future beyond football – something of grave importance to the modern footballer who’s career can often be cut short.

“I have a lot of businesses, but Manolo Bakes is very successful,” he tells us. “Every day the players are asking me for boxes of luxury croissants, and soon we’ll have 20 bakeries.

I’ve also been working on an idea for the future; working with my fellow players to help them save money once they’ve finished their careers,” Álvaro adds. “It’s important to know that one day you won’t have the same salary as you do now and you need to have the long-term benefits from investments.”

What’s clear is that Morata isn’t a one-dimensional captain. This is a person who pours their heart and soul into life, both on and off the pitch, and it’s about time he is given his flowers.

“You can count on Sports World to help you with all aspects of your life, SW provide the players with the best services in the world, in all industries.”

 ÁLVARO MORATA