The FIFA Museum has opened today its latest special exhibition, “The Making of a Footballer: Photographs of Youthful Dreams". The captivating photography exhibition offers a unique insight into the personal journeys of former and active professional footballers, revealing the dreams, challenges, and triumphs that shaped their paths to success.

Curated by the FIFA Museum, in collaboration with FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger and more than 20 players, the exhibition presents a compelling collection of photographs that chronicle the transformation of aspiring youngsters into the legendary players they have become. Among the featured players in the exhibition are Alex Morgan, who won the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ twice; FC Internazionale Milano's all-time most capped player Javier Zanetti; Harry Kane MBE, England's all-time highest goal scorer and many more.

Behind the story of every successful footballer lies a child who once harboured a big dream. A child who, despite many challenges, wouldn’t give up and continued to work hard to achieve the goal of becoming a professional player. Through the lens of a camera, this exhibition invites visitors to connect with the children who later became legends. By highlighting the challenges and triumphs of these players, the exhibition offers inspiration and encouragement for visitors to reflect on their own paths and both the dreams they had embraced when they were younger and the dreams that they still have.

“The Making of a Footballer: Photographs of Youthful Dreams” also uncovers the key pillars of player development, as laid out by one of the best mentors the game has ever seen, Arsène Wenger. The former Arsenal FC manager shares his insights on player development, outlining a holistic model that links the growth of a player to the construction of a house. The multifaceted approach that is shared with the visitors emphasizes the importance of technical, tactical, physical, and psychological aspects in shaping aspiring young footballers into well-rounded athletes.

Commenting on the significance of the exhibition, FIFA Museum Managing Director Marco Fazzone stated: “This exhibition represents a landmark moment for the FIFA Museum. It is the first time we have collaborated with both active football players and legends of the beautiful game to showcase their personal stories. These are the protagonists of football history, and dedicating an exhibition to them fills me with great pride. We are excited to share their remarkable journeys with the world.”