Samson: Rising gem exemplifying The Future Academy project

The Future Academy in Nigeria is nurturing young football talent, focusing on a holistic development that intertwines athletic training with education and emotional growth. The academy aims to provide opportunities beyond the streets for children it discovers.

Recently, four promising young players from the academy embarked on a football training tour in Portugal. There, they competed against youth teams from renowned clubs such as Atlético Madrid, S.L. Benfica, and Sporting CP. This exposure is considered central to the academy's long-term vision for its players.

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I love Messi because of his movement. I like TFA more than the streets because I have learned a lot under my coaches here. The trip to Portugal even exposed me to many things about passing and marking.

Samson Azeez, an eight-year-old prodigy, has emerged as a standout figure from the academy. His heartfelt reflections after the Portugal trip captured public imagination, showcasing the academy's transformative work. Samson, who has been with the academy for two years, is admired for his versatility and technical skill, and he idolizes Lionel Messi.

"I love Messi because of his movement," Samson told PUNCH Sports Extra. "I like TFA more than the streets because I have learned a lot under my coaches here. The trip to Portugal even exposed me to many things about passing and marking."

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A lot of things have changed for me since I got here, especially our recent trip to Portugal where we played against some academies in Europe. Going there with my teammates was special and we showed great understanding on the pitch, so much that they liked us as well.

Samson's story is representative of The Future Academy's mission. Other notable talents include U-10 captain Roheem Ajisefini, 11-year-old Nojimu Abdulramon, and 12-year-old Babatunde Malik. These boys, scouted from the streets, receive educational and nutritional support from the academy. Roheem, who has spent three years at TFA, also idolizes Messi and spoke about the significance of the Portugal trip: "Going there with my teammates was special and we showed great understanding on the pitch, so much that they liked us as well."

According to TFA director Abiola Fabio, the academy has been operating for nine years, finding the developmental stage of football both interesting and challenging. The exposure provided through tours like the one in Portugal is a key component of their strategy to foster well-rounded young athletes.

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TFA has been established for nine years and dealing with the developmental stage of football has been interesting and challenging. The most intriguing part is seeing