The 2026 academic year came to a close at Johan Cruyff Institute with its graduation ceremony in Barcelona, a special occasion to celebrate the achievements of its students and the exciting professional opportunities that lie ahead.
The end of another academic year brought together the Johan Cruyff Institute community for an evening of celebration. Held at the IMO Auditorium, located in Barcelona’s Sarrià district at the foot of the Collserola hills, the graduation ceremony honored the dedication, perseverance, and accomplishments of students throughout the year, while marking the beginning of a new chapter in their professional journeys
The venue welcomed graduates from all on-campus and blended-learning programs in Barcelona, as well as members of the online community. The graduation ceremony included students from the University Master’s Degree in Sports Management Barcelona, the University Master’s Degree in Sports Management Online, the Master in Sports Business and Marketing Blended Barcelona, and the Master in Football Business in partnership with FC Barcelona.
Commemorative speeches: Johan Cruyff’s inspiration to take the sports industry to the next level
Carole Thate, General Manager of The World of Johan Cruyff, opened the event by welcoming the graduates and reflecting on Johan Cruyff’s legacy: “Johan believed that success starts with vision. He often challenged people to look beyond what already exists and imagine what could be. He transformed teams not simply by working harder, but by thinking differently.
“Johan understood that innovation requires courage, the courage to question old habits, embrace change, and trust your own ideas.”
Due to his commitments as Sporting Director of Ajax, Jordi Cruyff was unable to attend the ceremony in person. However, he shared a video message congratulating the graduates, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a lifelong learning mindset and approaching future professional challenges with confidence and determination.
Next to take the stage was Víctor Jordán, Academic Director of Johan Cruyff Institute, who highlighted the commitment and hard work that had brought students to this milestone: “Ten months can feel like a few weeks and a lifetime at the same time. You arrived from very different places, bringing different languages and cultures. Far from being an obstacle, that diversity has been one of the greatest strengths of this class.
“You learned how to work together before knowing whether you thought alike. In the professional world, that is worth more than you can imagine today.”
Graduation Ceremony: celebrating the end of an academic chapter
The first diplomas were awarded to graduates of the Master in Football Business in partnership with FC Barcelona. Following remarks from Bryan Bachner, Managing Director of FC Barcelona for the Americas and Asia-Pacific, students Zak Drake and Vincent Bamdad, from Canada and France respectively: “We arrived here as students from different parts of the world. We leave with friendships, memories, and a network that means something. Wherever we go next, I hope we use what we learned to make football better, more thoughtful, and more professional.
“Because football is a business, yes. But it is also community, connection, and belonging.”
The next group to take the stage represented the University Master’s Degree in Sports Management Barcelona, delivered in partnership with the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, with the active involvement of its Faculty of Economics and Business and managed through Fundació UAB Formació. Representing the university were Àlex Rialp, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business, and the program’s Academic Director, Ricard Esparza.
Speaking on behalf of her classmates, Angie Medina reflected on the importance of gratitude: “Today is a day to say thank you. To our professors, for reminding us that there is no more powerful tool than education. But above all, thank you to those who are here celebrating with us today. Because while this diploma carries our name, this story began long before us”
“We are different people. We come from different countries. We have different stories. But we share something that connects us deeply: a love for sport.”
Midway through the ceremony, Ahmad Saher and Nikhil Chandra Jha, students from the University Master’s Degree in Sports Management Online, took the stage: “For all of us, this journey was more than assignments, deadlines, and projects. It was also a test of discipline, patience, and resilience. Many of us studied while working, while carrying family responsibilities, and while facing personal challenges that others may not have seen.”
The Master in Sports Business was the next program. Speaking on behalf of the students, Teresa Inez highlighted the often unseen work behind the sports industry: “Sport has an incredible ability to bring people together, and every person in this room has chosen to dedicate their career to being part of that. The reality is that most people will never know who organized the event, who prepared the playing field, or who managed the logistics. But they will feel the impact of that work.
“When everything is done right, sport creates magic.”
The final diplomas were awarded to students from the Master in Sports Business and Marketing Blended Barcelona. Student representative Felipe Marín Quintero reflected on what the program had meant to him: “This master’s program not only helped me deepen my understanding of sports marketing and management, but also taught me the value of positive leadership, innovation, and passion for what I do.
“For me, this achievement is even more special because it fulfills a dream I had when I was young. I always wanted to study abroad, and today I can proudly say that I achieved that dream.”
Following the diploma ceremony, Ileana Alberto, Career Services & Alumni Manager, officially welcomed the graduates into the Johan Cruyff Institute Alumni community, which now includes more than 10,000 professionals around the world. During her presentation, she introduced the new Alumni App, designed to help graduates expand their professional networks and access career opportunities.
Johan Cruyff Institute Best Academic Record Awards: recognizing outstanding academic achievement
To conclude the evening, the Johan Cruyff Institute Best Academic Record Awards were presented, recognizing the highest academic achievements of the 2025–2026 academic year. Lukas Dorda and Víctor Jordán presented the awards to:
- Paulo Bento Lores González, University Master’s Degree in Sports Management Barcelona
- Luna Justine Bressoud, University Master’s Degree in Sports Management Online
- Patrick Nancarrow, Master in Football Business in partnership with FC Barcelona.
- Stephen Ansinger, Master in Sport Business
- Raquel Sanchez-Sierra, Master in Sports Business and Marketing Blended Barcelona
The celebration continued in IMO’s outdoor space, where graduates and their families shared experiences, laughter, and future plans while enjoying a cocktail reception.
While the academic year has come to an end, a new chapter is just beginning for these graduates, one filled with opportunities, challenges, and exciting projects across the global sports industry.
