DIVING INTO THE UNKNOWN

Lectures are now over for the FIFA Master 23rd edition class as we now concentrate on our Final Projects. And what a weird feeling this is. Or a mixture of them.

It is amazing to now be away from the 9 to 5 teaching schedule inside a classroom while Neuchâtel is finally bright and warm for summer. It is gratifying that all of us have successfully completed the Sports Law module at the Université of Neuchâtel. But it is incredibly nostalgic too that we will be saying goodbye for who knows how long in just a couple of weeks time. Being excited, proud, and sad at the same time is really strange as we approach our Graduation date.

This postgraduate programme is top-quality. No doubt about it. Lessons are great and the field trips are cool. But the people you meet are what make the journey worth it.

Our edition is special. We, as a group, are sure of it and hope that all the people we have managed to meet through all the stages of this journey, specifically in Leicester, Milano, and Neuchâtel, can acknowledge that. Chemistry, unity, hard work, professionalism, intelligence, and empathy are just some of our main assets as a collective. And we are about to bring all of that to our individual careers. The sports industry should be as excited as we are to embark on the unknown.

As of now, we only have our Final Projects left to submit. Not even any more football matches to look forward to. Just a couple of weeks to finish research, write 20,000 words and put the finishing touches to presentations for the seven fascinating topics we have chosen. The light at the end of the tunnel is fast approaching.

Never in a million years could any of the 26 students which form this edition have imagined, since we came together last September, what we were about to go through. The knowledge we would acquire and the growth we would experience.

Indeed, just a few days ago we were just remembering our somewhat shy introductions at De Montfort University, in Leicester. “Name, nationality, profession and what brings you to the FIFA Master”, they told us to say. And now we know each other's lives almost by hand. The amount of laughter, fist pumps, tears and hugs shared since those first encounters are countless.

We already know that the 24th edition has been selected and probably all of the chosen ones are wondering what will happen to them shortly. We honestly hope you get just an ounce of what we have. Prepare yourselves and be excited, because your lives will soon change.

David Goldberg (Costa Rica), FIFA Master 23rd edition student.

FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, ranked No.1 Course in Europe 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 by the SportBusiness International global rankings.

Organised by CIES in partnership with De Montfort University (United Kingdom), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland).