Coinciding with the Champions League final, the Football for Sustainability Summit was held in Berlin on 11 and 12 July. A forum organised by Common Goal with the aim of sharing ideas and bringing together influential people and representatives of ‘agents of change’, encouraging them to continue using football to improve people’s lives.
Juan Mata was one of those invited to take the floor. “That mindset also comes with rival brands. Why can’t we all be together for a cause? The most important thing is everyone has that mutual relation of what can we do? What can we contribute? Thinking about how can I make an impact professionally and personally?.”
Alongside him, Rio Ferdinand spoke. “Footballers want to help, they know they have the power and platform to do so. But we’ve always approached these things as individuals in the past, and it’s the complete opposite way to what you should do.”
Supported by UEFA and the German Football Association (DFB), the forum brought together 200 personalities and representatives of organisations united by Football for Good. Common Goal has recently added the Welsh Football Association as a new member, a sign of the movement’s momentum.
Juan also enjoyed the victory of the Spanish national team at the European Championship in Berlin. The Asturian was part of the BBC commentary team for the final alongside Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand and Micah Richards. Juan, the last player to score for Spain in a European final until last Sunday, shared his commentary for the huge audience of British public television and radio: More than 19 million people watched the match, with very positive comments.
