Nike Most Wanted 2016 Global Showcase : Football News : Soccer Bible

Bringing together the very best amateur footballers from around the world, Nike brought together their biannual Nike Most Wanted global showcase at the French Football Federation’s national training center in Clairefontaine.

A four day experience that has been re-branded from it's previous iteration of 'The Chance', 'Nike's Most Wanted' offers players on the fringes of earning that professional contract the chance to earn a place at The Nike Academy at St. George's Park - the home of the England National Team. The best prize going outside a professional deal, it offers further foundations in which these players can develop their skills with the help of elite coaches from the very top of the game.



In this instalment, the event drew 42 young players from 20 countries where they were joined by French National Team Manager, Didier Deschamps. “To perform at the highest level in the game, of course, your footballing talent is important, but this must be complemented by mental strength, too,” Deschamps advised the footballers. “As with any sport, there will be challenging moments, but you must continue to believe in your dream, yourself and never give up. Work hard, always.”



The gathering culminated with Nike Academy Manager Jon Goodman announcing the players who will join his elite development squad for the 2016 season: Tim Brown (UK), Ryan Blumberg (Australia), Kai Hatano (Japan), Ilan Kebbal (France), Nathan Recht (France), Sherwin Danderyseedorf (Netherlands), Myer Bevan (New Zealand), Thom Jonkerman (Netherlands), Benis Belesi (Belgium), Siriki Dembele (UK), Kevin Adewumi (Germany) and Josip Kolobaric (Croatia).



A potential life-changing stepping stone, this biggest in-take of academic class see's the Nike academy take further steps in giving something back for the good of the game. A chance to help people and players nurture that raw talent, it's an initiative of innovation all round.