Welcome to issue #005 of Contemporary Football, your inside look at how the game really works behind the scenes.
Monday to Friday, you’ll uncover a new perspective on football business, and sometimes a deeper story that sharpens your thinking and gives you an edge in the beautiful game.
If you need support on your football journey, just write me.
Hey everyone,
Yesterday, we talked about Juventus and the crucial role of the second teams.
Today, let’s move to PSG and the Golden Boy.
The new King
After the meetings at Juventus, I attended the press conference announcing the winners of the Golden Boy 2025 awards.
Désiré Doué was crowned the overall Golden Boy winner, while Pio Esposito from Inter received the Best Italian Golden Boy award.
Ali Barat won Best Agent for the second time, Nasser Al-Khelaifi was named Best President, and Luis Campos of PSG took home Best Director.
Over 50 international media outlets covered the news… a sign of how big this award has become.
The Gala
Now the countdown begins for the Golden Boy Gala on December 1st in Turin.
I’m inviting a few people from the football world to join, and I’m considering hosting a small lunch before the Gala.
I see it as an opportunity to meet, connect, and talk about what’s really happening in the game.
I’ve always believed the best networking and the most meaningful relationships happen in small, well-curated, genuine settings. Not in crowded rooms or fairs.
The Golden Boy has huge potential as a global IP, and this year’s Gala will be special.
If you want to know more, just reply to this email.
From Rennes to the World
Désiré Doué grew up at Stade Rennais, one of Europe’s most consistent talent factories.
Over the past few years, Stade Rennais FC has quietly rewritten the history of the transfer market.
Smart scouting, structured development, and the courage to trust young players.
Here are their top five sales:
Jérémy Doku → Manchester City (€60m)
Désiré Doué → PSG (€50m)
Nayef Aguerd → West Ham (€35m)
Ousmane Dembélé → Borussia Dortmund (€35m)
Eduardo Camavinga → Real Madrid (€31m)
Five players. Over €200 million in sales.
Who did better?
And Doué is the latest proof that when a club treats player development as a strategy, not luck, results follow.
We could spend hours talking about the Golden Boy, about PSG winning everything without Messi or Mbappé, and about France’s player-trading machine. But…
That’s all for today!
See you on Monday,
Federico
