Global Fútbol

LaLiga has partnered with Visa, the world's leading digital payments company, to launch ‘The Second Half’ in Spain. This professional development programme aims to give female footballers a head start when embarking on their careers after their playing days have come to an end. Spain is the second country in Europe to take on this initiative, following the launch of the same programme by Visa in the United Kingdom at the beginning of the year for both active and retired professional footballers.

Through The Second Half, Visa and LaLiga aim to help female players apply the skills and knowledge they acquired as footballers to other professional areas. This will take place through a training programme in collaboration with LaLiga Business School, LaLiga's educational department, which will cover areas such as financial literacy, career planning, personal branding, communication, and leadership, to name but a few.

This project is part of a wider support plan Visa have been implementing since 2018 in sponsoring women's football within UEFA. It seeks to advocate diversity and inclusion, as well as to continue contributing to the growth of the women's game.

Beatrice Larregle, Visa's Regional Managing Director for Southern Europe, believes that “sport is not just a powerful platform through which to promote gender equality and empower women - we also see a strong correlation between success in sports and in business.” She further stated “That's why, at Visa, we want to continue offering these players the access and tools they need to be able to successfully transition from football into another profession.” Regarding the Spanish game, Larregle commented that “we’re proud to see how women's football in Spain has grown in both professionalization and popularity in recent years, and we’re delighted to work so closely with LaLiga in the development and implementation of this programme."

Oscar Mayo, Executive General Director of LaLiga, was also keen to stress that, “this agreement is further proof that LaLiga is committed to shining a spotlight on the importance of the role of women in the sports industry, both in general and specifically in football.” Mayo went on to state: “With the creation of our educational department, LaLiga Business School, we’re further bolstering our commitment to training and education, which serves as the foundation for getting good results in the future and bringing through well-prepared individuals.” He concluded by saying: “For this reason, LaLiga is proud to be part of Visa's The Second Half project that combines both women's football and training, which are two important fields for us.”

As for Anaïr Lomba ‘Lombi’, LaLiga Ambassador and RCD Espanyol player, she was keen to highlight the importance of these programmes, “especially at a time when women's football is becoming increasingly professionalised.” She believes that “it’s essential that we as players know that we can focus on our playing career but without passing over educational and training opportunities for the future,” and that “this programme allows us as footballers to access the training required in order to keep working in the world of football once we finish our careers as players.”

Visa's support for female footballers, from the pitch to the boardroom

Spain joins the United Kingdom as one of the first European countries to launch this programme. Kim Little, Team Visa ambassador and a participant in the programme, shared her experience: “Being a part of The Second Half has provided me with experiences and opportunities which I know will help me once I hang up my boots. I’ve no doubt that it will help other footballers like me, providing them with the necessary guidance to make the most of the skills they’ve acquired throughout their playing career in another field of work.”

The Second Half launches in Spain at a pivotal moment for the women's game, with increasing professionalization, visibility both in the media and among the general population and greater support from brands such as Visa. In addition to creating The Second Half and its sponsorship of women's football, Visa is also showing its backing for this ever-growing sport with an initiative that aims to draw attention to women footballers as role models. An example of this is Team Visa, which is made up of 15 European female players, who want to promote the women’s game and inspire the next generation of female players.

Team Visa ambassador Alexia Putellas points out that “a footballer’s career is the most enriching and exciting period of our lives, but being prepared for what we’ll go through once it comes to an end is key in our development as professionals.” She concludes: “That’s why initiatives such as The Second Half are so important, which are created to empower more athletes and change the paradigm of the brands that support the development and spotlighting of women's sports.”